Kelly McConkey Community Volunteer and Fundraiser
I am very happy to speak about my good friend from up north, Mr. Kelly McConkey. I know many of you will recognize his name for he truly is involved in our County in many innumerable ways. I am sure you know Kelly is a sitting member of the Calvert County Board of Education. You might have even seen his name on campaign posters and signs for the County Commissioner race during last Fall’s General Election. Or you may know of him as a very successful long time County businessman. I too thought I knew a lot about this gentleman through his very active public life. But the purpose of my weekly journal is not to discuss the public “personality” per se, but to delve into the portion of the subject’s life that you may have no inkling or knowledge of the real volunteerism he or she may be quietly providing in support of our citizens!
So, let me take a few moments to speak of some of the neat things this “special” individual does without any fanfare or boasting. Kelly and his wife Kimberly came to Calvert County sixteen years ago from Prince George’s County. He was raised in Camp Springs and went to Crossland High School. Upon graduation in 1986, he attended Charles County Community College for two years. He tells me he gained his real education and learning through his many life experiences.
When I asked him how did he get involved in community service, he stated he always wanted to help others whenever he could. For me, Kelly is a “natural” for seeing needs and taking action and providing the wherewithal to improve a situation. In this regard he is very unselfish with his time and his money to help others as you are about to read. A real love for animals got him involved originally with the Humane Society of Calvert County. We bumped into each other at one of the Humane Society Concerts featuring The Fabulous Hubcaps last Spring. I know he enthusiastically supports this group with any means of fundraising that may come along.
In 2009, he volunteered to help another great local organization, the United Way of Calvert with their huge annual Mardi Gras fundraiser. Running for Mardi Gras “King” that year, he with Kimberly’s help, barely lost out to Mark Davis even though they raised a sum of more than $35,000 for this great cause. He has served on the Board for United Way as well!
Kelly also serves as the President of the Calvert Optimist Club, and while you may not be familiar with their work, their sign greets you every time you drive down Route 4 from the north and pass under the bridge leading to Route 260 also known as Chesapeake Beach Road. The sign states “The Optimists are dedicated to the Youth of the County”. My wife and I have been members of the Solomons Optimists Club for years. I can tell you first hand of all the great things these folks do for our young people, including athletic programs, such as youth football and baseball team sponsorship, throughout the County. They also provide great lessons in civics and history through annual oratorical contests. And who has not seen all the Christmas trees at their familiar Christmas Tree Stands in Dunkirk, Prince Frederick and Solomons every holiday season. I am always amazed that they seem to sell every tree! I know that it’s a long time tradition here and their sales have a loyal following of buyers each year.
Kelly has actively been involved in fundraising with many other local groups for more than 10 years now. Currently he is working with the Calvert Soccer Association with their annual mulch sale. He likes to get involved with high school sports and can often be seen at a Friday night football game under the lights or attending a basketball game at one of the County’s four high school gymnasiums. He always seems to be out and about and is very approachable and forthcoming in his thoughts about the welfare of the children.
When I ask him about all of these various extracurricular activities outside of his business and government work, he says he has great support from Kimberly and his children. They have been married for 24 years and have four sons. Kelly, Jr 23, Kyle, 19, Kory 15, and Kevin, 11. They also have three dogs and several cats – I wonder if all their names start with a “K” as well??? Kelly takes great pride in noting son Kory sends $38 of his own money he earns each month to help foster a child in a Third World country!!! Wow, can you imagine, a fifteen year old young man taking on this responsibility on his own with no help from his parents! I don’t know in all my years of helping others that I know of a young person of this age taking on a goal such as this! This wonderful example of unselfishness must be in the “McConkey DNA”. Gosh, they must be so proud!
Finally, I gave Kelly an opportunity to tell me how I might be able to help him with his vast amount of volunteer efforts. He asked me to help him get our younger people interested in The Optimists. Like many fraternal organizations today, the Optimists are suffering from an ever increasing average age of its members and are in real need of attracting more young people to bring their energy and exuberance along with fresh ideas to continue with this necessary work. Kelly, I am with you as I have seen this problem up close within my own Club here in Solomons. To obtain information about the great work this organization, contact Kelly at kdmcconkey@aol.com or me at my email address shown below.
When Mr. McConkey is not attending any of these many fundraisers or supporting the many school activities that he frequently visits, you can most likely find him helping his wife Kimberly run their business “Kelly’s Nursery & Farm, Inc” in Dunkirk. Kelly you are a remarkable individual, unselfish almost to a fault, and so supportive of the citizens of this County. I congratulate and salute you for all you do. Keep up your great efforts!
Dave Spigler resides in Lusby and has been a resident of Calvert County since 1979. He has been recognized many times for his years of community service. He received the “Calvert You Are Beautiful Award” for 2013 and recognized by the Knights of Columbus as the “Maryland Citizen of the Year” in 2011. He was a member of the HOGETTES, the Washington Redskins “Biggest Fans” for 22 years. If you know of an unsung citizen of Calvert County, please contact Dave at spiggy@erols.com.