SPCC To Honor David Orso At 20th Annual Gala

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David Orso always knew about the Severna Park Community Center (SPCC), the hub for aquatics, fitness, rentals, community events and more right in the heart of Severna Park, but it wasn’t until about a decade ago that a former SPCC board member asked Orso to put his business talents to work and join the board.

Orso did just that and served a six-year term, the last three years as chairman. On April 23, at Chartwell Golf & Country Club, Orso will be the honored guest at SPCC’s 20th annual fundraising event entitled Black Tie & Boots.

“When Jean Andrews (gala host committee chair) called to tell me about the recognition, I was totally shocked and blown away,” Orso recalled. “I told her I needed to speak to my wife!”

In the Orso household, decisions are always made together. After speaking to his wife and three children, Orso accepted.

“I never got involved for recognition. I got involved because I feel passionately about our Severna Park community and our small businesses, which rely on and fully support each other,” Orso said. “I wanted to spread the word about the good work of the community center to broader audiences who could then take over for the next 20 years.”

Orso learned from an early age that family and community are interchangeable words, and one cannot exist without the other.

“Many years ago, Andy Borland (SPCC board of directors, emeritus) told me, ‘Whatever you give to this community, you’ll get back tenfold,’” said Orso, who added that Borland was his confirmation sponsor when he was a teen. “As I got older, I realized that I wanted to get more and more connected to this vibrant community and join a bigger communal family.”

In his career, Orso is a highly visible and successful real estate leader. He is also active in supporting nonprofits.

“I firmly believe that work, wealth and wisdom are all intertwined,” Orso added. Using his work connections as a channel to philanthropy, he added, “God entrusted us with wealth so that we can redistribute to the community.”

He and his family have provided more than financial assistance; they also provide hands-on support to promote organizations in the community making a difference, such as SPCC, Building Traditions Society of Anne Arundel Medical Center, Bello Machre, the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce, Broadneck Area Youth Sports program, Sarah’s House, the Lighthouse Shelter, Backpack Buddies, We Care and Friends, the Ella Foundation, as well as his family’s Orso Family Foundation. In 2014, he authored a book entitled “The Unfiltered Truth About Listing and Selling Your Home.” All proceeds from the book sales were donated to the Anne Arundel Medical Center Breast Center.

“When Severna Park functions at a high level, it functions like a family. I want my family to be a part of that,” Orso said. “Real estate is just a vehicle for me to introduce more people to our community, to connect more people to our community, and to educate more people about our community.

“I’d like to think this honor from the Severna Park Community Center is in recognition of that. Not me and not my business,” Orso said.

Guests who attend the Black Tie & Boots fundraising gala will be treated to farm-to-table dinner, live entertainment, open bars, and “western-themed surprises.” Tickets may be purchased on the SPCC website (www.spcommunitycenter.org) or at the center’s front desk.

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