By Ed Simmons, Jr.
cpreporter@lcs.net
Caroline's premiere philanthropist L.J. Moyer has been awarded the Fredericksburg Salvation Army's Ann Crowe Essig Memorial Award for Community Service. She was nominated by long-time Caroline Habitat volunteer Joanne O'quinn who is now vice president of the Fredericksburg Salvation Army Ladies Auxiliary. At the award luncheon May 11 at the Holiday Inn Select in Central Park, attended by 200, O'quinn cited Moyer's raising $58,000 for Caroline Habitat over the past five years at the Habitat for Humanity Golf Tournaments held at Pendleton, and her role in organizing and hosting 10 Rotary Club Senior Citizens Christmas Galas, last year attended by 500 Caroline seniors. "The seniors look forward to the Gala all year long. It's a really wonderful occasion for them," said O'quinn. Moyer visits the Bowling Green Nursing Home and the Senior Center each year to personally invite the seniors.
"She's certainly done wonderful things for Caroline County and for older people. It's outstanding," said Dr. Leroy Essig, a Fredericksburg oncologist. The award is a memorial to his wife, Ann Crowe Essig. His office manager and nurse, Ann was struck by a car five years ago on her birthday, August 25, and killed. Fifty-six years old, she was devoted to community service and founded the Fredericksburg Salvation Army Ladies Auxiliary in 1986.
"It's gratifying how she is remembered and appreciated. I think it's very fine she dedicated herself to the Salvation Army that takes in people no one else wants, the downtrodden," he said. L.J. Moyer, who owns Century 21 Classic Real Estate in Ladysmith, is now planning the 6th Annual Habitat for Humanity Golf Tournament at Pendleton for Sept. 17, and is looking ahead to her eleventh annual Senior Citizens Gala.