Mary Mac Foundation seeks donations to support summer programs and fight food insecurity For more than a decade, the Mary Mac Foundation has provided crucial support for low-income and homeless children and their families, thanks to the continued generosity of local donors.

In 2025, the foundation seeks continued support to fund summer camp scholarships and programs that provide education, recreation, and enrichment opportunities for underserved children throughout Maryland and the surrounding region. These programs include Camp Ocean Pines in Ocean Pines, Camp St. Vincent in Baltimore, and Camp Barnes in Delaware.

Camp St. Vincent is an eight-week summer program that serves homeless children from Baltimore City and Baltimore County. The camp offers academic enrichment, therapeutic programming, and recreational activities in a supportive and fun environment. Each summer, more than 175 children participate, receiving meals, transportation, swimming lessons, and field trips – all at no cost to their families.

Camp Barnes, founded in 1948 by Colonel Herbert Barnes of the Delaware State Police, provides a similar experience for children from broken homes and underserved backgrounds. Located near Bethany Beach, Delaware, the camp hosts six weeks of programming each summer, alternating weeks between boys and girls. Camp Barnes operates solely on donations, grants, and fundraisers.

In addition to summer programs, the Mary Mac Foundation remains committed to addressing food insecurity in the region. The foundation supports local food banks and shelters, including Diakonia in West Ocean City, the Cricket Center and Cold Weather Shelter in Ocean City, Mid Shore Meals in Cambridge, and the Bayside Shelter in Millsboro, Delaware. Through these partnerships, the foundation ensures that children have access to nutritious meals, especially on weekends when school meals are unavailable.

A Legacy of Giving

The foundation honors the memory of Mary McMullen (1948-2012), a former special education instructor at Severna Park High School and Ruth Eason School in Millersville, Maryland. Mary was instrumental in helping to establish the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department in the 1970s. Her husband, Tim McMullen, carries on her legacy through the foundation’s work.

“Many of us have found ourselves asking what Mary would do or say in certain situations,” Tim said. “Her generosity and unconditional love for her students, family, and community continue to inspire us.”

McMullen’s experiences as both a student and teacher have also fueled his passion for giving back.

“The first year I taught, I was in a school that had just been integrated, and I was so impressed by these eight kids who arrived at 7 a.m. every day – an hour before school started,” McMullen said. “I later learned they didn’t have heat at home, so they came early to stay warm. That’s when I realized how much small efforts can make a big difference.”

A Call to Action

The foundation continues to expand its reach, providing opportunities that empower young people to live better lives. However, sustaining these initiatives depends on community support.

“We believe in giving young people the resources they need to thrive,” McMullen said. “Whether it’s providing a meal through a backpack program or sending a child to camp, these small acts can change lives.”

Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Mary Mac Foundation at www.paypal.me/marymacfoundation (EIN# 46-2720845) or by sending a check payable to the Mary Mac Foundation, 174 Nottingham Lane, Berlin, MD 21811.

“We thank you for your continued support and ask that, if it is within your means to donate, please consider doing so. No amount is too small,” McMullen said.

For more information on the Mary Mac Foundation, visit www.marymac.org.