The Northampton County Chamber has recognized something that we already knew! They have given Mr. Berkley Rayfield, our Board Chairman, an award for "Citizen of the Year 2010" for his generosity and drive in forming our school, Cape Charles Christian School.
Congratulations Berkley!
From the Northampton County Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner, March 2011:
Many of you know Berkley Rayfield as the Cape Charles pharmacist whose contagious smile warms the hearts of the locals who visit the pharmacy. What you may not know about him is his steadfast Christian beliefs, his work as a philanthropist and entrepreneur, and his desire to leave a better place for not only his children, but the children of others and the generations that follow.
In February 2009, a conversation after church one Sunday lit a spark in the minds of several people. The spark ignited by Berkley Rayfield produced several public meetings to gather more interest and supporters. Supported and encouraged by his wife Joy, the entire Rayfield Family, and a dedicated Board of Directors led by Kate Brown, a decision was made to establish a Christian school in the town of Cape Charles. Why did this group take a giant leap of faith? Their mission was to provide education to children and develop the whole child in a non-denominational setting. Their guiding principles focused on educating the whole child including mind, body, spirit, and stewardship.
The old adage that “it takes an entire village to raise a child” took on a special meaning for Berkley, Kate, and the Board. Berkley’s charisma and easy going manner charmed volunteers, donors, and the members and pastors of two churches to paint, renovate, and refurbish classrooms in Trinity United Methodist Church for use as a school. The entire town, mayor, and citizens opened their hearts and embraced the school. The parents of 54 students and five teachers took the leap of faith with them that first year and Cape Charles Christian School became a reality in the fall of 2009.
But Berkley had just begun to build. With enrollment doubling the second year, Berkley secured funding to purchase and renovate another building for an upper school campus. In December 2010, students, teachers, and parents carrying books and classroom supplies proudly marched down the street with a police escort to the new Upper School Campus.
Berkley’s vision and hope for a new and better tomorrow can be seen in the eyes of Cape Charles Christian School students each day. He has left a living legacy of generosity, stewardship, and love of mankind in the lives that he has touched. His perseverance, countless hours of dedication to children, readiness to do what it takes to get the job done, and his desire to give back to society more than he takes in life, are just some of the qualities that make him deserving of the Citizen of the Year Award.
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