At a glittering ceremony and amidst cheers and applause, Pat Murphy accepted the Spirit of the Panhandle award for his decades of volunteerism in Berkeley County.

Held in the Skyline Ballroom at the Hollywood Casino/Charles Town Races, the event was sponsored by the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, which, every two years, recognizes 3 outstanding volunteers in Berkeley, Morgan, and Jefferson Counties. This year's "unsung heroes" were Pat Murphy, Larry Lowther of Morgan County, and Peter Smith of Jefferson County.

Murphy accepted his award humbly, and on behalf of all his fellow colleagues and volunteers, many of whom were seated at his dinner table with him. He also credited his wife, Bev, and his mother Darlene.

Spirit of the Panhandle honoree Pat Murphy earmarked his $5,000 endowment to benefit a group near and dear to him. Grants from he Pat & Bev Murphy Boy & Girls Club Arts Fund will be used to purchase supplies, equipment, and reference materials for the photography program and other arts programs offered by the Martinsburg/ Berkeley County Boys & Girls Club.

Murphy was awarded the Spirit of the Panhandle honor in recognition of his yeoman service to the community. While best known for his contributions as the creator of the photography program at the Boys and Girls Club of Martinsburg, where he has taught, mentored and inspired local children for over 40 years, Murphy is also a long-time volunteer at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center, and at Saint John's Lutheran Church. A former Marine, and then a teacher for 30 years, Murphy served as an elected official in the House of Delegates, as well as a County Commissioner. He served for 8 years on the Board of Education.

Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation Board Member board member and the event's chair Betty Russell opened the night's ceremonies by thanking the individuals who had nominated candidates for the special honor, and all the deserving nominees. Russell quoted John F. Kennedy, who said  “We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” According to Russell, each of these individuals has contributed thousands of hours of volunteer service to local non-profits and charitable organizations, and by doing so, "they have enriched our lives, inspired us, and provided tremendous benefit to our community."

Hans Fogle, the evening's emcee, was joined onstage by David DeJarnett of Bowles Rice and William Grant of First United Bank and Trust to present Murphy with an engraved glass blue Blenko bowl, and a $5,000 endowment at the Community Foundation for the non-profit organization of his choice. Endowments were awarded to each of the night's three honorees; the funds for these endowments were provided by Community Foundation Cornerstone Sponsors in recognition of the honorees' contributions to the community. 

Past Board President Stew Borger was also honored at Friday's gala, which was attended by nearly 200 people, including former recipients of the Spirit of the Panhandle Award, as well as former individual and corporate Philanthropist of the Year honorees. 

According to Board President Scott Roach, "It is a privilege to recognize and honor the contributions of the many people in this room who seek to make a difference every day." Also honored during the Spirit of the Panhandle celebration were Peter Smith of Shepherdstown and Larry Lower of Berkeley Springs. Like Murphy, Smith and Lower are involved in a number of nonprofit causes and both also received $5,000 endowments which they can name to benefit a nonprofit organization of their choice.

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation was founded in 1995, opening its offices at the Caperton Station in Martinsburg. The Foundation's purpose is to create lasting endowments that will benefit local non-profit and charitable organizations. Panhandle corporations and individuals, electing to focus their charitable giving on local services and programs that will continue to benefit their community in perpetuity, have created 150 permanently endowed funds, and the Eastern West Viriginia Community Foundation now manages over $15 million, all of which will stay in the community. 

According to EWVCF Executive Director, Michael Whalton, there are 30 active community foundations in West Virginia and more than 700 across America. For more information contact the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation at (304) 264-0353 or visit www.EWVCF.org.