Submitted photo Lee Snyder, left, was honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Tri-State Chapter as the Individual Philanthropist of the Year during the organization’s annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon. He was nominated by Hospice of the Panhandle and is pictured here with Hospice development director Maria Lorensen.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Tri-State Chapter named Lee Snyder, owner of Snyder Environmental Services, Inc., as individual philanthropist of the year at its 4th annual National Philanthropy Day (NPD) luncheon on Nov. 18 at Millwood Station.

Throughout the event, more than 25 individuals were recognized for their contributions to the community as donors and volunteers.

Snyder was nominated by Hospice of the Panhandle for the work he’s done with the organization and with other community groups.

Snyder, and his late wife, Cynthia, were members of Hospice’s campaign team to build a new campus and inpatient unit in 2008.

They were a great team, and introduced the project to many of their friends. Cynthia, who had a chronic blood disorder, was unable to continue working on the campaign as a series of health issues prevented her from doing so.

She was a former teacher and a florist, and she and Lee had magnificent gardens at home. After she passed away,

Snyder’s desire was to make a lasting gift in her memory. He did so by donating generously to name a large garden outside the Hospice office education center in her memory.

Not only did he make the gift, he personally has maintained the garden since the campus opened 2 years ago. In the heat of last year’s summer, as he wiped the sweat from his brow, Snyder shared with Hospice development director Maria Lorensen that he was paying someone to maintain his garden at home while he worked on the gardens at Hospice. He trims, prunes, waters and plants colorful perennials and annuals. He has also added a small garden at the entrance to the Hospice campus.

Snyder is a generous donor to other Hospice fundraisers – he attends and supports Hospice’s annual Night at the Oscars; he donates to the annual Friendship Drive and Light Up a Life during the holidays.

He has donated money to build wheelchair ramps for patients and he generously donates in memory of family and friends who have passed away under Hospice care.

Most recently, as he and his new bride, the former Karen Greenfield wed, he asked that gifts be made to Hospice of the Panhandle in honor of their wedding.

Hospice is not the only beneficiary of his largesse. He is a supporter of the American Red Cross, where he sponsors a blood drive at his business four times a year in Cynthia’s memory. Hundreds of gallons of blood have been donated as a result.

President and founder of Snyder Environmental Services in Kearneysville, Snyder also is president and founder of Jefferson Utilities.

Past president and director of the Contractors Association of West Virginia, Snyder serves on the City National Bank Advisory Board and has been a member of the Farmers and Mechanics Insurance Board of Directors since 1994.

He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Shepherd University.