About Amy Menzer

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Amy Menzer has created 110 blog entries.

Arkia Wade, Milestone Award Winner

2022-05-24T12:11:54-04:00

Most of us think about volunteering in our community to “give back” to those who laid a foundation for our personal growth, cultural enrichment and the fun of meeting new people. To some it is just an aspiration but for Arkia Wade it is an inspiration. Are you familiar with any of the following organizations? A. Turner Station Conservation Teams B. Turner Station Girl Scouts C. Baltimore County Arts Guild D. Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group E. Dundalk Cares If so, the members of all these community- based groups, know Arkia Wade well. As she states: her self- professed love of people, [...]

Arkia Wade, Milestone Award Winner2022-05-24T12:11:54-04:00

George Fotis, Owner of Drug City Pharmacy and Cornerstone Award Winner

2022-05-24T09:35:47-04:00

George Fotis is receiving the Cornerstone Award for his volunteer work and willingness to help the Dundalk Community whenever and wherever needed. He has served on various community boards including the Dundalk Renaissance Committee, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce and Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke's School Board. As a pharmacist, he focused on making his patients better and now as a business owner he believes the store has a duty to help the community however it can. This is evident as Drug City Pharmacy regularly donates their time, products and services to whoever asks. "As a part of the community, we do [...]

George Fotis, Owner of Drug City Pharmacy and Cornerstone Award Winner2022-05-24T09:35:47-04:00

Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company, Cornerstone Award Winner

2022-05-23T11:50:23-04:00

Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company is celebrating their 80th year serving the community. Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company was created to address the need for fire protection in the neighborhoods of Inverness and Rosewald Beach. Founded in 1942 during WWII when there was a concern that an attack on Bethlehem Steel from enemy forces could lead to fires and pandemonium in the surrounding neighborhoods.  “In 80 years a lot has changed and in some aspects nothing’s changed.” Bob Frances, Wise Avenue’s public information officer, said. “We went from a single, trailer-mounted civil-defense pump to the complex fire apparatus and ambulance, we have today. Equipment’s changed, but the commitment hasn’t.” Over the years the changing mission of the fire [...]

Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company, Cornerstone Award Winner2022-05-23T11:50:23-04:00

Celebrating 20 Years; First In-person Milestone Awards in Two years; Farewell to Longtime Executive Director

2022-03-17T11:25:09-04:00

This year’s Milestone Award Ceremony will be held on May 26, 2022 (6pm) at Sparrows Point Country Club. We have a lot to celebrate this year, including our first in-person Milestone Award Ceremony in two years and 20 years of building a better Dundalk. In 20 years, we’ve provided 2,700 people with financial counseling, tax preparation help and housing resources; renovated 529 homes; hosted 314 events engaging 35,025 people; invested $1.85 million in Historic Dundalk Town Center Businesses and so much more.  “We would not have been able to achieve as much as we have without a dedicated staff supported by [...]

Celebrating 20 Years; First In-person Milestone Awards in Two years; Farewell to Longtime Executive Director2022-03-17T11:25:09-04:00

Congratulations and Farewell to Executive Director Amy Menzer

2022-03-03T10:52:03-04:00

Executive Director Amy Menzer Departing After 15 Years of Leadership;  Deputy Director Tasha Gresham-James will Serve as Interim Executive Director  After more than 15 years, Executive Director Amy Menzer is moving on. Dundalk, MD--Under Amy’s leadership, Dundalk Renaissance has established programs supporting housing renovations, neighborhood marketing, main street business development, community engagement, and the most recent addition, financial counseling. She guided the board of directors through 4 Strategic Planning processes while raising over $13 million from public and private sources. During that time, the organization has achieved much success with a small staff that grew from 1 to 6, including assisting [...]

Congratulations and Farewell to Executive Director Amy Menzer2022-03-03T10:52:03-04:00

Dundalk Renaissance is a United Way Change Maker Challenge Grant Recipient

2021-12-02T15:04:28-04:00

We’re so excited to announce that we are the recipient of a $10,000 grant from United Way through their Change Maker Challenge. “We are so grateful to have been selected as one of the top 10 finalists in Baltimore County by United Way,” Executive Director, Amy Menzer said. Our housing and financial counselor, Sonya Dease, pitched a new program that would help Dundalk families facing eviction stay in their homes.  We know the pandemic has been on hardworking families and sometimes that meant getting behind on the mortgage--which is why families who enter into our program will be eligible to [...]

Dundalk Renaissance is a United Way Change Maker Challenge Grant Recipient2021-12-02T15:04:28-04:00

Meet the Forge’s Newest Business Incubation Tenant: Potluck Collaborative

2021-11-24T12:25:43-04:00

Potluck Collaborative was founded in 2020 by sisters Jessica and Valerie Kessler.  Potluck Collaborative sells a variety of handmade items including earrings, scarves, keychains, and DIY craft kits in a range of prices for a variety of ages. When they’re not at Potluck Collaborative the sisters are heavily engaged with their Girl Scout Troops—which is where they got the idea for Potluck Collaborative.  COVID 19 changed the way the Kesslers engaged with their Girl Scout Troop.  Valerie spent countless hours on Zoom with her Scouts making crafts with common everyday items, only to learn that the girls didn’t have access to what Valerie [...]

Meet the Forge’s Newest Business Incubation Tenant: Potluck Collaborative2021-11-24T12:25:43-04:00

From Part Time Administrative Assistant to Deputy Director, Tasha Gresham-James celebrates 7 years with Dundalk Renaissance

2021-07-27T10:14:44-04:00

From Part Time Administrative Assistant to Deputy Director, Tasha Gresham-James celebrates 7 years with Dundalk Renaissance. Tasha Gresham-James started with us part time in July of 2014 as a part time administrative assistant while her two young kids were in school.  She was looking for something simple after her time working in the mayor’s office in Baltimore City under Sheila Dixon and Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.  While working in the mayor's office, Tasha saw how the City utilized their CDCs as a way to help build stronger communities and wanted to see first hand how Baltimore County could do the same.  She quickly proved [...]

From Part Time Administrative Assistant to Deputy Director, Tasha Gresham-James celebrates 7 years with Dundalk Renaissance2021-07-27T10:14:44-04:00

Little Free Libraries Have Landed!

2021-07-20T12:43:58-04:00

Hey Dundalk! Little Free Libraries are popping in your neighborhood and favorite Dundalk establishments.  Keep your eyes peeled for 11 Little Free Libraries that have been installed around town, including places like Joanna’s Café, Little Crystal Bijoux and Sollers Point Multi Purpose Center.  Thanks to our wonderful neighbors, we have libraries in DunLogan, Bear Creek, Inverness, St. Helena, Old Dundalk, Norwood and Turner Station.   “I was excited to connect with my neighbors in a new way! Books have always been a way to for me to learn about the world but I hope the libraries also gives us a physical place to meet more of our neighbors and [...]

Little Free Libraries Have Landed!2021-07-20T12:43:58-04:00

Cornerstone Winner: Jimmy’s Famous Seafood

2021-04-08T17:54:21-04:00

We’re excited to honor Jimmy’s Famous Seafood as a Cornerstone winner for Dundalk Renaissance’s 2021 Milestone Awards Ceremony.  In a year that drastically changed the way restaurants could do business and required an unprecedented amount of flexibility, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood continued to thrive as a Dundalk staple. Their dexterity during this difficult time and delicious crab cakes aren’t the only reason why we’ve chosen to honor them this year.  Jimmy’s Famous Seafood has single handedly raised over $475,000 for local restaurants struggling to pay staff and keep the lights on—in addition to their regular charitable giving and community service.  “They didn't [...]

Cornerstone Winner: Jimmy’s Famous Seafood2021-04-08T17:54:21-04:00
Go to Top