On February 24, 2024, let’s take a dip in Chesapeake Bay for Eastern Shore of Virginia
Habitat for Humanity. Our celebrity dipper this year is Beth Sharpley.

For the past 23 years, I have enjoyed working with my husband at our business, Coastline Chemical, in New Church. What started as a single company, has blossomed over the years into 4 separate entities which have all seen phenomenal growth. Nothing makes me happier than to employ 35 people from our local communities and know that we are treating them as family.

Before I started working with my husband, I was the Director of Admissions and Development at Broadwater Academy, the school that not only I graduated from, but all of our children! It will always hold a very special place in my heart.

I am currently a member of the Board of Directors of the ESVA Chamber of Commerce. I am on the Chamberfest Committee, which is near and dear to my heart, and I absolutely have the utmost respect for the team I work with there. It is a dream team! Last year I was honored to be asked to start a newly formed Grandparent’s Association at my grandchildren’s school, Worcester Preparatory School, in Berlin, MD. My first task was to raise $50,000 for a renovation of their Children’s Garden, and with help from so many other grandparents, this dream became a reality! I am also the President of the Salisbury Children’s Choir Board of Directors. Music has played such a tremendous role in my life, and there is nothing I love more than giving back to something that has given so very much to me, especially when it involves kids!

Speaking of music, I have been a member of the Eastern Shore Madrigal Singers for over 34 years, and it has truly brought me the most amazing joy and fabulous memories. There is no family like the MADS family! I have also performed with ESO and have enjoyed several performances with The North Street Playhouse, and the Lower Shore Performing Arts Company, along with singing in the choir at Allen Memorial Baptist Church. Since I was old enough to talk, music has always been such a passion for me. It has brought me through the hardest times of my life, and helped me to celebrate the best! It’s as good for the soul as laughter!!!

The biggest gift of my life has been my beautiful family. We have 3 children and soon to be 6 grandchildren. Whether volunteering at their school, taking trips together, or just hanging out, nothing can put a smile on my face faster than my grandbabies!!! They are the true loves of my life!!! Family time is always the best of times, and we kind of do most everything together!!! (hence the need for a 15-passenger van!)

Giving back has always been so important to me. Those who know me well have all heard me say, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” I live by that rule. I love by that rule. There is no greater pleasure in life than to give. Especially when you are changing someone’s life. Supporting local organizations has always been a very top priority for my husband and myself. Pay it forward. Buy the coffee for the person behind you in the drive-thru. That’s how I live my life. Nothing could make me any happier than to raise funds for a life-impacting organization such as the ESVA Habitat for Humanity. These people are changing lives one house at a time. One nail at a time. One brick at a time. Everyone, regardless of circumstance, deserves a place to live. The amazing people at Habitat have heard that call loud and clear and made it their life effort to provide a new beginning to so many deserving families; families that can be productive citizens and give back themselves.

Please join me, with an open heart, and give, give, give! I promise you will walk away with a warm feeling in your heart. Knowing you have made a difference in someone else’s life is a feeling that doesn’t come along every day. But once you feel it, you know it’s right.