Students see the McDaniel College pool to unwind or practice laps. But Deborah Goff ’07, winner of the Social Work Student of the Year award from the Maryland chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, views the pool as part of her plan to help others.

The Social Work major and intern at Meals on Wheels envisions thousands of rubber turtles racing in the pool, propelled by turbo fans and underwater pumps. She sees children cheering on the sidelines, and, most importantly, thousands of homebound people in Carroll County enjoying a hot and nutritious meal thanks to those who sponsor turtles for the race.

“I’ve always had a passion for helping others, and this is part of my future as a social work advocate,” says Goff. “People of all ages are getting very excited, and that was the intent – to come up with an event everyone will enjoy, and to bring everyone together for a day at the races.”

Voila, the Turbo Turtle Splash was born. For $5, people can “adopt” a turtle and have a chance to win a $10,000 prize. All proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels of Carroll County. The nonprofit organization prepares and delivers more than 46,000 meals a year.
In its more than 30-year history, Meals on Wheels of Carroll County has never attempted an event like this.

“What [Goff] has done for us is nothing short of remarkable,” says Tom Grazio, executive director of Meals on Wheels. “We gave her a list of possible tasks and she selected one of the more challenging items on the list, to run an event in Carroll County. Now, the agency is getting visibility, and it has gone exceptionally well.”

This is no surprise, since Goff’s last project, a community garden for seniors and students, won the prestigious “Take Pride in America” national award last June.

Success always comes from collaboration, according to Goff. For the Turbo Turtle event, she has enlisted the help of students from the course “Policy and Social Welfare;” Greek organizations such as Phi Alpha, Alpha Phi Omega and Gamma Sigma Sigma; groups such as Running for Life, and students from the Carroll County Public Schools.

“What is so terrific about Deborah as a student is that the sky is the limit,” says Social Work Lecturer James Corbin. “She has a unique ability to think about these types of projects on a grand scale while carefully integrating the many complex parts that will make it possible.  She is an energetic and tenacious student.”

After graduating this May, Goff intends to earn her master’s degree in Social Work, focusing on community organization, at the University of Maryland. In addition to that institution, graduates of McDaniel’s Social Work program have been accepted to top graduate programs, including those at NYU, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health.
The Turbo Turtle Splash will be held at 3 p.m. April 28 at the McDaniel College pool. For more information about the Turbo Turtle Splash, to volunteer, or to adopt a turtle, call (410) 596-7874 or click here.