2024 Ben Franklin Award
November 7, 2024 @ 6:00PM — 9:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) Add to Calendar
Silver Birches: 205 PA-507 Hawley, PA 18428 Get Directions
Join us in celebrating Eric & Mary Anne Linde's commitment to community service!
Since 1996, the Ben Franklin Award has been an integral part of Wayne County life. Each year the Wayne County Community Foundation's Board of Directors dedicates significant effort in assessing nominations for this award. The Wayne County Community Foundation and its Board of Directors are pleased to announce Eric and Mary Anne Linde as the 2024 Ben Franklin Award recipients. We look forward to seeing you at the dinner on November 7.
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Read all about Eric and Mary Anne in their bio below.
Eric Linde is a lifelong resident of Wayne County. His wife, Mary Anne, has been by his side since their marriage in 1968. Together they have made a sustained positive impact on our community.
After nearly 60 years in construction, Eric retired several years ago. His career and passion for the trade have contributed significantly to refurbishing and enhancing the town of Honesdale, including work on bridges, and implementing one-way traffic on Main Street. Much of his work was directly influenced by the couple’s commitment to community-building, and their projects often focused on things like underground infrastructure, pollution reduction, and enhancements of local rivers to maximize public recreation.
The Lindes’ commitment to community transcends construction; at its core, the true value lies in the people each project serves. Two successful examples of pure community-building efforts in which the Lindes were instrumental are the Honesdale Borough Pool on Fair Avenue and the Wayne Highlands School District football stadium. Integral to the Lindes’ philosophy is the belief that giving back to the community ensures the longevity of its resources for future generations.
This philosophy, coupled with inspiration by the late Dan O'Neill's vision for retaining local talent, the Lindes established job shadowing programs and job fairs to diversify local employment opportunities. They've been avid supporters of Penn State's Scranton campus, initiating the Linde Family Mentoring program and supporting student emergency funds.
Their involvement in community health initiatives includes "The Parkinson’s Connection" and Rock Steady Boxing, as well as joint efforts with the Wayne Memorial Hospital and Comprehensive Physical Therapy. Eric's own battle with Parkinson's since 2014 has fueled their commitment to early intervention and support for others facing this disease.
Their current community focus is building a new Wayne County YMCA. With support from many volunteers and local organizations, including the Wayne Memorial Hospital's land donation, plans for the project are well underway and fundraising efforts continue. Ground breaking for this project is anticipated for Spring 2025.
Eric and Mary Anne remain dedicated to projects that will benefit their community for generations to come, knowing that with collective effort, anything is possible.