Generosity

Volunteerism has always been a passion for Adamstown resident Valerie Hardy Cramer. She began her long volunteer career at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Charles Town, W.Va., at the age of 12 and became a “candy striper” there one year later.

Throughout her professional career in government contracting and business development, she continued to give back to her community through donations and by planning events to benefit area nonprofits and community organizations.

Understanding that fundraising and putting on events can take valuable time away from a nonprofit’s core mission, she started her own nonprofit, Generosity, five years ago, taking on the critical awareness and fundraising needs for other nonprofits. One of Generosity’s signature events is the highly successful House is in the Bag Purse Auction, which has raised more than $500,000 heading into its 12th year.

This year’s fundraising event is set for Nov. 20 at the Richland Golf Club in Middletown with doors opening at 6 p.m. The live auction will feature 25 purses with the silent auction showcasing more than 80 purses. Cramer receives donations of new and gently used purses from the community throughout the year for the event. In the past she has even gotten celebrities such as actresses Mila Kunis and Allison Janney to sign and donate purses to the event.

Every year, she enjoys watching the excitement in the room as folks yell and cheer while winning their favorite bags. “It is just a very, fun and exciting evening,” she says.

A majority of the people who come to the event have been supportive since the event’s inception. This year’s proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County and Faith House, part of the Frederick Rescue Mission.

“I hope that after the event (attendees) realize that having a home of your own is a gift,” Cramer says. “Not everyone has that gift. Not everyone can afford a home so that is why I like the Habitat program. It is a hand up not a hand out.”

She also wants guests to have a better understanding of the impact nonprofits have on the Frederick community. Throughout the year, Generosity helps in the community. In memory of her late friend, Deborah Gilbert Leatherman, who was a Hurricane Katrina survivor and Habitat for Humanity homeowner, Cramer notes the nonprofit will grant Habitat home recipients a gift card for furniture to help them as they establish their roots in the area. Helping others and giving back to the Frederick Community is why Generosity was created.