The Many Faces of Melvin Mills: Philanthropist, Community Activist

Written By Lisa Breslin

Carroll County businessman Melvin Mills, Jr. has received The Carroll Hospital Center Foundation’s Community Spirit Award.

On April 3, during a black-tie dinner attended by more than 200 prominent businessmen and women, Mills joined the ranks of other generous businessmen and women before him, among them Stephen Bohn, Jack Tevis, Jack Gambatese, Scott and Anita Bair, Charles Fisher, Sr., and Dave and Betty Scott, who have received the award for their “ongoing dedication to improving the health and livelihood” of Carroll County residents.

Over the last 30 years, Mills, 67, has served on boards for the local chamber of commerce, economic development, Fallfest, New Windsor State Bank, the local historical society, Western Maryland College, the Mid-Maryland Private Industry Council (which is now Business Education Resource Center) and Carroll Lutheran School.

Mills joined the Carroll Hospital Center Foundation’s Board of Trustees in 1995, and from 2001 through 2005 led the organization as the board chair. During his tenure, Mills also served on the hospital’s board of directors.

His pull to the hospital and other organizations, he explains, is rooted in his belief that “the strength of a community rests in three areas: education, healthcare and lifestyle, which are linked to parks and recreation and cultural events,” he said. “If you have all three – you have a viable community.”

Mills’ interest in his community started, he ventured, when as a teenager he played the organ at the skating rink in Taneytown. His parents, Gilbert M. Mills, Sr. and Laura, managed the rink and the local bowling alley.
“We had beauty pageants there and each year the kings and queens rode in Carroll County parades,” said Mills. “One year we drove a queen to a national competition in Miami, Florida. But she didn’t win. No doubt, my community activism started then and there.”

Whether it is just a few minutes’ conversation with Mills, or a 22-year friendship like the one he shares with Harry Sirinakis, a Founders Circle member and the owner of Harry’s Main Street Grille, Mills is the kind of man who, as a friend, Sirinakis said, “just gets better.”

“The more you find out about him – the more you realize how rich his life has been,” said Sirinakis.

Sirinakis and other Mills’ friends and colleagues, including Tom Rasmussen, Doug Velnoskey, Ellen Finnerty Myers and Gene Brewer, have no problem rattling off a “Bet You Didn’t Know This About Melvin” list:

¥ He was born in Walkersville, Maryland.
¥ He once had his own band – The Champaign Three – with his brother, Howard, and Bernie Harmon on the sax.
¥ He was an avid roller skater and won several trophies.
¥ He entered the Glen Burnie Talent Show in 1964, playing the organ, and got second place.
¥ He is a NASCAR guy, and he has a fierce love for antique cars. He owns four: three Thunderbirds, a ’55, ’56, ’57, and a ’59 Cadillac.
¥ Through his company, Mills’ Communications, Inc. and with his wife, Linda, Melvin Mills has given more than $80,000 to Carroll Hospital. They have also made generous provisions for the hospital in their estate plans.
¥ He once mentored high school students and he still maintains friendships with a few of them who are now adults with families of their own.
¥ For many years, Mills’ name was synonymous with the success of Junior Achievement (JA), a nonprofit organization that offers hands-on business and economics curricula. Every ninth grade class in Carroll County had JA in its curriculum, and Mills’ successful mentorship brought so much acclaim that he was asked to join a group that established JA in Russia.

“Melvin is the kind of guy we all want to be,” said Sirinakis. “He is a good businessperson, a great friend, and a kind man. When I’m in certain situations, I often ask myself ‘What would Melvin do?’ He is that kind of a role model.”

Melvin and Linda Mills live part of the year in Melbourne, Florida, where Melvin chairs the Wuesthoff Hospital Foundation Board. The couple returns to their home in Taneytown often so that Melvin can attend hospital board meetings and they can both support the community in various ways.

“What makes a community is its people – the way they interact,” Mills said. “I will always love and be a part of Carroll County because of the people. Carroll County will always be special to me. Carroll County will always be home.”