Fifteen years ago, Sandra Jackson, Maureen Cavaiolo and Barbara Huston, were wondering what they were going to do with their soon-to-be-earned master's degrees in gerontology and public health.

After thinking about what the community lacked, the Severna Park residents started Partners In Care, a nonprofit that helps elderly and disabled county residents with services such as rides to doctor's appointments and home repairs.

What started as a kitchen table operation with a $50,000 budget, 12 volunteers and 12 people who needed help, has grown to a $500,000-a-year operation with 2,800 active volunteers and customers.

The...