Richard Slavik, 60, of California, Md., comes across as a pretty average guy. He likes sports and fishing, and takes pride in his Navy career. What is very “un”-average about Richard, however, is how he spends much of his time – helping others. Since retiring from the Navy, he has dedicated his life to making things better for St. Mary’s County residents in need, both as a professional and as a volunteer.

It seems like Paula Rosnage knows everyone in town.

“Oh, she’s a survivor,” she says.
“Her father is a warrior.”
“That woman is one of our 5-year survivors.”

How does Paula know so many people? All of them have been touched in some way by cancer and Rosnage has met them through her work with the Calvert County American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay for Life.

For over 31 years, Mike Schwartz, 55, owner of Mike’s Bikes in Lexington Park, has been a hub for biking culture in Southern Maryland. Schwartz, his shop and his big green school bus are icons in the community. Along with his two German shepherds, Xena and Buster, Schwartz and his team are trying to keep everyone in Southern Maryland moving forward … on two wheels, that is.

There is perhaps nothing more fulfilling than helping others by doing what you love. This is what happens when Southern Maryland GiveCamp (SMGC) volunteers assemble once a year to provide free information technology solutions to local charitable organizations that don’t otherwise have the budget to support the technology resources they need.

Ever drink bottled water? Almost everyone does. But did you know that a bottle of water can do more than hydrate your body? A bottle of water can help support the Calvert Marine Museum, Habitat for Humanity, the Center for Children, St. Jude’s Hospital or any cause you wish to support – that is, if you buy MyCause Water.

Mary Pat Hollis didn’t realize she was starting a second career when she took that class 11 years ago. She was just fulfilling a dream.

Stay-at-home mom Cori Shaw Meloney of Waldorf may sometimes miss her former work in a busy newsroom, but not enough to give up her current status as the owner/designer of Peace, Baby! Batiks, a craft business located in her own kitchen.

Born and raised on a Virginia farm, Selena Daughtrey-Andersen of Huntingtown was introduced to animals at an early age. “I was always surrounded by multiple dogs and cats, and we always had horses,” said Daughtrey-Andersen, the youngest by nine years of five siblings, who took to the saddle and learned the responsibilities of horsemanship with her first pony when she was 5 years old. “My parents never kept a tight rein on me,” said Daughtrey-Andersen. “I had to entertain myself a lot,” she added, recalling that her solitary pastimes of reading and art as well as her passion for animals – especially horses – have stayed with her since childhood.

What started with a small white rabbit for a Bryans Road teenager morphed into a future career in animal sciences and a skill set and resume a Fortune 500 CEO might envy. Rebecca Creighton, 17, began 4-H when she acquired a rabbit and her mother, Rochelle, insisted she join a club to learn how to care for the animal. In four short years, the family’s yard turned into a mini-farm where Creighton raised sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, chickens, turkeys and a 1,000-pound steer. She has shown these animals at the Charles County Fair and is currently a member of the Charles County Livestock Judging Team.

Ghandi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” St. Mary’s County resident Sandy Neville, 44, embodies this sentiment in every facet of her life. Each day she makes a conscious choice to live a “green” life, and she inspires others to do the same.