Sussex County Woman of Distinction Luncheon set Nov. 16
Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay has selected Patti Grimes, executive director of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation and the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, as the 2016 Sussex County Woman of Distinction. A signature luncheon honoring Grimes will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the Rehoboth Beach Country Club.
This year’s honorary co-chairs are Carla J. Markell and Michelle Freeman and the co-chairs are Sandy Taras and Twig Burton. Luncheon tickets are $50 per person and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information or to reserve luncheon seats by Monday, Nov. 7, go to www.gscbticketinfo.ticketleap.com/sussexwod or call 410-742-5107.
The Sussex County Woman of Distinction event celebrates a woman who has made a difference in her community, inspired others and provided a positive role model for girls and young women. The celebration brings together Sussex County leaders and outstanding young women to celebrate the significant contributions made by women and celebrates courage, confidence and character of one of Sussex County’s elite businesswomen.
The Women of Distinction program is a wonderful leadership opportunity for teen Girl Scouts who are invited to mix, mingle and make connections with the Sussex County elite business leaders and government officials at these events. Girls serve in leadership positions that make this event successful – serving as greeters, leading the pledge and participating in the program.
Grimes works to build and sustain relationships with the communities that the foundations serve, while leading the programming and mission at The Freeman Stage at Bayside, which has hosted over 300,000 patrons during her tenure. She also oversees the grant management and funding programs of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation.
Prior to joining the foundations, Grimes worked as vice president of marketing and sales for the Carl M. Freeman Companies and lead its successful communities including Sea Colony, The Preserve, The Cove, The Village at Bear Trap Dunes and the launch of Bayside. She currently serves as a trustee on the board of Delaware Technical Community College as vice chair and has previously served on of the boards of the United Way of Delaware, The Delaware Symphony Orchestra and the YWCA, and was the founder of the Sussex Economic Development Action Committee. She also serves actively in local community associations and volunteers for the Adopt-a-Family and Adopt-A-School programs as well as other service organizations. Grimes recently served as president of the Bethany-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce.
She is the recipient of many awards including the Lighthouse Award for the Bethany-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce, Community Spirit Award, honoree at Del Tech’s Women’s Day Celebration and Top Business Women in Delaware by Delaware Today. A native of Boonsboro, Md., Grimes graduated with honors from James Madison University. She lives in Ocean View with her husband Marc and daughter Marisa.
The first Girl Scout troop was founded on the Delmarva Peninsula 100 years ago. To volunteer, reconnect, donate or join, go to www.gscb.org or call 302-456-7150 or 800-341-4007.
