For more than 20 years, the Margate Business Association (MBA) has been a vital part of the Margate community, supporting businesses and residents alike. As a leader in community engagement, the MBA has enriched life in the Downbeach area through a variety of events, programs, and business initiatives. Among its many contributions, the MBA takes particular pride in the Daniel and Maria Walters Scholarship Program, a cornerstone of its outreach efforts. Since its inception in 1999, the program has provided over $120,000 in scholarships to local students pursuing higher education.
The Walters, longtime educators in the Greater Egg Harbor Regional School District, established the program to give back to Margate’s youth. Each year, students apply by submitting an essay based on a given prompt, and the two best essays—selected anonymously—each earn a $2,500 scholarship. Proceeds from the MBA’s annual Wine Tasting and other fundraising events help sustain these scholarships and support the Children’s Fund, showcasing how MBA initiatives directly benefit local families.
The MBA’s dedication to the community extends beyond scholarships. Its Children’s Fund collaborates with the Margate school system to assist children in need by providing essentials like sneakers, warm clothing, eyeglasses, school supplies, holiday toys, and sports equipment. The fund has also supported summer camp experiences for latchkey kids, autism awareness initiatives, and more.
The MBA’s generosity reaches across South Jersey, benefiting organizations with shared values, including the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Pediatric Cancer Research, Hearts Therapeutic Riding Center, Gilda’s Club Noogie Land, the JCC and JFS Charity Golf Outing, Marines’ Toys for Tots, and the Atlantic County Toys for Kids Program. These contributions are made possible by the ongoing support of the community and the MBA’s commitment to making a lasting impact. With this continued partnership, the MBA’s programs will thrive for years to come.
