Ocean Pines 7-Eleven owner gives back to local community

Ocean Pines, Md. – The owner of the Ocean Pines 7-Eleven on Race Track road worked together with the Worcester County Chamber of Commerce to bring some holiday cheer to families in need.

“I’m born and raised here. I feel part of the community,” Patrick Spicer, owner of the 7-Eleven said. “I know times are tough, especially this year. And I’ve been extremely fortunate and blessed to be in this position.”

When Christine Felix of Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services said that when she got a call from the president of the Worcester County Chamber of Commerce in Ocean Pines telling her that someone wanted to help out families during the holiday season, she said she was happily surprised.

“That was wonderful because we have so many families that we help each holiday season, and we kind of count on funding from the community,” Felix said.

Last month, Spicer decided to help families during the holidays. He contacted the Worcester County Chambre of Commerce and the chamber facilitated a partnership with Worcester Youth & Family Counseling Services, a local non-profit based in Berlin, that provides mentoring and mental health services to the local community. As of two months ago, WYFCS also has a food pantry.

Spicer donated 10 $75 gift cards to help 10 families get a Thanksgiving meal after he had heard on the news that an average Thanksgiving meal cost around $60 to $75.

“And then for Christmas, I said, I can do three $500 gift cards,” he said. “And again, they were going to see how they could spread that to make it help it go the furthest.”

Felix said WYFCS will use the gift cards to help families provide their children with a special Christmas present.

“Times are really tough right now. A lot of families need help with food and basic needs,” she said. “So, you know, Christmas is sometimes the farthest thing from their mind that they’ll be able to afford. So, you know, by Patrick being able to do this, that really afforded families to have a nice Christmas and a nice Thanksgiving as well.”

Spicer, who has owned the 7-Eleven for about 15 years said he hopes his donations will inspire other businesses will “step up” the next holiday season and do the same or something similar.

“When you think of 7-Eleven, you don’t think of local,” he said “But, I’m as local as it gets.” He said that he hoped others continue to support their local communities.

“I just think we’re a local community here and, you know, when times are tough, we step up and help one another,” he said. “We look out for one another. It’s always had that small town feel.”

As for what might have inspired him to help other families, Spicer says he and his girlfriend are expecting a new addition to their own.

“Being a dad kind of put family in perspective for me,” he said. “So, being in a position and fortunate, I was like, ‘Well, let me see if I can, you know, help a family out in the community.'”