On May 24, 2013, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot presented the Franciscan Center with the Baltimore District 2013 William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award.
“The William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award recognizes one individual or organization in each county and Baltimore City that exemplifies Governor Schaefer’s lifelong commitment to public service,” Franchot said.
Baltimore City Councilman Carl Stokes joined Comptroller Franchot in presenting this prestigious award. Executive Director Christian Metzger accepted the award on behalf of the Franciscan Center.
“It was a great honor for the Franciscan Center to receive this prestigious award that recognizes our commitment to helping those less fortunate in Baltimore City,” Metzger said. “It was such a pleasure to have Comptroller Franchot visit the Franciscan Center and present this award to us on behalf of Maryland’s Office of the Comptroller. This is a true tribute to the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi who have been helping under-served populations here in Baltimore since the 1890s and founded the Franciscan Center in 1968. Today, we are carrying their legacy and good will forward as we assist our neighbors in need.”
Comptroller Franchot created The William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award in 2012 to honor the memory of the late Governor William Donald Schaefer. Recipients of the award are selected based on their demonstration of improving the community, swiftly solving a problem through effective government intervention, directly aiding the most vulnerable in society, or creating a public or private partnership to improve the lives of Marylanders.
“The Franciscan Center is an extremely deserving recipient of the Schaefer award,” Franchot said. “The organization serves the most vulnerable in our community in an efficient and compassionate manner. Governor Schaefer was a lifelong supporter of this organization and I can’t think of a better selection for the Baltimore City winner than the Franciscan Center.”
