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FEDERALSBURG – H&M Bay, a Federalsburg-based refrigerated and frozen food carrier, is extending its legacy through a new scholarship fund for children and grandchildren of current and former employees. Founded in 1982, the company has grown into a nationwide less-than-truckload perishable commodity carrier, and its leadership wanted to give back to the people who they say built the business.
Co-founder and President of H&M Bay, Lawrence Hayman, said the idea for the scholarship emerged as he reflected on the company’s future and the people behind its success. “Without the employees, you don’t have a company,” he said.
“The scholarships are not just given to universities and colleges,” Hayman explained, “We strongly suggest that people… go into the trade schools or other facilities that are accredited.” The scholarship launched last year and received seven total applicants, four of which were selected to receive scholarship funds. Among them is Jase Todd, who is attending Salisbury University to study exercise science and prepare for a career in physical therapy.
“It feels great that I don’t have this financial burden as some other kids would have,” Todd said. He added that the scholarship lets him focus on his studies instead of worrying about tuition and loans.
Another family benefiting from the program includes Chris Hash, a dispatcher who has been with H&M Bay for more than 22 years, and his daughter Rhyan, a social work major and psychology minor at Salisbury University. The scholarship opportunity, Hash said, “says a lot for the company, and [it’s] one of the things that’s kept many of us here for so many years…It’s a great place to work. It’s a family.”
The scholarship is administered through Chesapeake Charities, a community foundation that manages designated funds. Executive director Linda Kohler said she was struck by the scale of founder Lawrence Hayman’s commitment. “I was so impressed with what Lawrence wanted to do – to give a million dollars to return it to employees’ children,” Kohler said.
Though H&M Bay is rooted in Caroline County, the scholarship is extended to employees in other states where the company operates, with recent recipients from South Carolina and Nebraska.
