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 faithful and increasing investments from Baltimore County, the State of Maryland, Johns Hopkins Bayview and many contributions from businesses and individuals. Our dedicated volunteer board has helped guide our growth and pitch in on our more than 300 events to bring people together. And now our work is a model for what might be achieved elsewhere in the County,” Executive Director, Amy Menzer said.  

This year we are honoring Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Department for their 80 years of service to Dundalk and George Fotis, owner of Drug City Pharmacy, for his innovation of a long time Dundalk business and investment in Dundalk with our Cornerstone Award.  

The Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Department routinely risks their lives for our community each time they respond to an emergency.  Their dedication to keeping the community safe is admirable and often comes at a cost to volunteer and their families. In addition to responding to fire related emergencies, The Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Department hosts popular community building events, including the popular train garden that draws thousands of spectators each holiday season. 

“It’s always fun for the staff and board at Dundalk Renaissance to reflect on the people and companies in our neighborhoods that are nominated for going above and beyond in making Dundalk the awesome community it is today. This year is no different and while we had a lot of options to choose from, both Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company (WAVFC) and George Fotis, owner of Drug City Pharmacy, were easy selections for our Cornerstone Award,” Dan Dawes, Board President, said.  

“The crew at WAVFC has been flexible and persistent in the face of COVID in keeping our neighborhood traditions alive – like the annual train garden and Santa visiting our children on the back of a big rig. While it’s always a lot of work, even adding the challenges of the past two years haven’t stopped WAVFC from delivering on those traditions. Add in that it’s the 80th anniversary for this fire company and WAVFC is a lock for a Cornerstone Award,” Dan said. 

George Fotis has grown Drug City Pharmacy from a community Drug store into a hidden destination. The world class selection of whisky and Bourbon in the liquors department, the tasting room, the very popular fountain, and the now beloved drug city street fair all draw people from all over the Baltimore area and his continued support of community groups all over Dundalk. 

“George Fotis isn’t just the owner of Drug City, he’s a pillar in the community in all that he does for Dundalk residents. George continues to invest in the community and opened The Fountain, an old-time soda fountain and lunch counter that has captured the hearts and minds of everyone who is transported back in time with a visit to this little gem. And while George’s entrepreneurial skills are apparent, his support of our community in all he and Drug City does on a daily basis deserves the honor of the Cornerstone Award,” Dan said. 

We’re excited to present four Milestone Awards to members community and business leaders for their roles in nurturing Dundalk’s healthy and vibrant future: 

  • Arkia Wade for her volunteer work with Turner Station’s Girls Scouts, Turner Station Conservation Teams and Dundalk Renaissance along with her advocacy work in Turner Station. 
  • Jean Kettell Dance Studio for their 60 years of inspiring children through dance.  
  • JD Urbach for his volunteer work with organizations like the Boy Scouts, Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke School and CCBC over the last 30 years. 
  • Then and Again for their commitment to providing affordable necessities to the community while providing a dignified shopping experience.  They’ve partnered with local organizations—including their partnership with Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County to assist Dundalk’s most vulnerable. 

Ashley Rogers will receive the Janice Evans Service Award, which honors individuals who devoted an extensive amount of their time and talents to Dundalk Renaissance. Ashley is receiving this award for her work with our organization including 10+ years on our board and her continued volunteer work with us.  Most recently she helped us plan and curate 11 Dundalk Cares Little Free Libraries. 

“These awards give Dundalk Renaissance a chance to celebrate the wide range of stakeholders in our community who are part of making Dundalk’s future the best it can be.  It takes all of us, and we are so thankful for their work,” Amy said. 

Dundalk Renaissance will also be formally saying farewell to Amy Menzer, our Executive Director of 15 years, at our Milestone Award Ceremony.  She has accepted a position with Baltimore County as Senior Project Manager in the Office of the Baltimore County Planning Director. Her last day with Dundalk Renaissance is March 31st. 

“I have been challenged beyond belief and am so thankful to have learned from and worked with so many great people,” Amy said. “I am proud of our board and staff and am confident Dundalk Renaissance will continue to make a positive impact.” 

Anyone interested in wishing her well on the next chapter can reserve their tickets at DundalkUSA.org 

“I have worked with Amy for nearly 8 years; through her steadfast leadership, I have seen Dundalk Renaissance grow exponentially,” Tasha Gresham-James, Interim Director said.  “Amy has been a great mentor and friend. I will miss working with her on a daily basis.  Baltimore County is gaining a wonderful asset.” 

Dundalk Renaissance is a non-profit community development corporation founded in 2001 to mobilize stakeholders to invest in greater Dundalk’s neighborhoods, economy and quality of life. Dundalk Renaissance’s community revitalization strategy includes grants and loans to support current homeowners to reinvest and age in place, supporting new and existing businesses in the Historic Dundalk Town Center, renovating homes for sale to new buyers, and offering purchase incentive grants to attract the next generation. Funding, marketing, outreach, stakeholders and commercial growth in the community are working together to make Dundalk a logical choice to live, work and invest. 

If you’d like to join in this momentous celebration, reserve your seat online.