|
 |
|
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||
 | |||||
Smith Presents Community Service Awards County Executive Smith presented four Bridge Builder Awards and 11 Volunteer Service Awards. The Bridge Builder Award recognizes the volunteer activities, or events, which advance harmony and understanding among different races, ethnicities and faiths. The Volunteer Service Award recognizes the volunteer activities that help serve their neighbors and strengthen the community. “The recipients of the Good Neighbor Week Awards are people who truly make a difference in our communities. They were nominated by their friends, neighbors, community organizations, colleagues and families,” said Smith. “It is that spirit of community and commitment from people who care and get involved that makes Baltimore County thrive.” County government and Baltimore County Public Schools partnered with the Central Maryland Ecumenical Council to select the winners for their outstanding examples of selfless, dedicated service to better their communities. During the program, Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joe Hairston presented Good Neighbor Week Awards to five County schools, public and private, that have demonstrated outstanding service to their community. Good neighbor week award recipients for 2008 are as follows: Bridge Builder Award Recipients Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity - Baltimore After a year and a half of designing and planning, Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity completed the first ever Interfaith Build, which brought Christian, Islamic, and Jewish partners together to build and sell two houses in East Baltimore to first time home owners. Led by Jayna Powell, this project united these participating groups through the common tenants in all of their religions. Involving over 200 volunteers from 14 faith organizations, this effort is an example of how the diversity of our communities makes them stronger. Hendersen-Webb, Inc. - Cockeysville In 1997, Hendersen-Webb, Inc. spearheaded the creation of Creative Kids Centers. These Centers work together with partners in the community to offer a wide range of services and programs. From a family literacy program to homework assistance to GED self study programming, the Creative Kids Centers assisted more than 1,600 low-income households in the last year alone. Reverend Charles Cloughen – Hunt Valley For twenty years he has brought people together from many diverse communities as the Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Rev. Cloughen regularly worked together with religious leaders of other faiths to promote greater understanding between religious and racial groups. Perhaps his most lasting legacy is the Good Neighbor Week program, which he began many years ago to recognize those who are bringing harmony to our community. John K. Tolmie - Towson John Tolmie’s vision, passion, and involvement were essential to the success of the Village Wellness Program in Tanzania, Africa. Founded by Tolmie in 2002, the Village Wellness Program promotes healthy communities in Tanzania as well as cultural understanding. This unique initiative is providing an invaluable service to the people of the community it serves by building capacity among the villagers themselves for disease prevention and early detection. Volunteer Service Award Recipients Mike Ertel - Towson As President of the Greater Towson Council of Community Associations, Mike Ertel has helped to not only improve the quality of life in the Towson community, but also bring the students of Towson University and the residents of Towson closer together. By organizing three clean up days involving students and residents, Ertel built a lasting bridge between these two different, but equally important parts of Towson. Sandi Kaufman - Dundalk For the past seventeen years, Sandi Kaufman has provided invaluable assistance to domestic violence victims. Providing services that range from supporting victims in obtaining protection orders, to providing them with safety plans, to leading a victim support group, she has demonstrated a genuine concern for victims of domestic violence that is unsurpassed. Perry Hall Improvement Association – Perry Hall For more than six decades, this organization has made a tremendously positive impact on the Perry Hall community. From beautifying neighborhoods to assisting in the construction of libraries to sponsoring community meetings where residents can discuss local issues with important figures in Perry Hall, the efforts of this organization make the Perry Hall community a better place to live for all of its residents. Shire US Manufacturing, Inc. – Owings Mills The employees of Shire US Manufacturing, Inc. believe that strengthening and uplifting the Baltimore County community is a daily commitment. From sending care packages to soldiers in Iraq to running a food drive for the less fortunate of Baltimore City to participating in the Adopt a Family Program and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, these men and women are making a substantial positive impact in our communities. St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church - Hydes The parishioners of this faith community facilitate 13 social outreach ministries in communities throughout Baltimore City, Harford County and Baltimore County. These ministries enrich all of our communities with work that ranges from providing light household repairs for the aged and infirmed to preparing and delivering lunches to the homeless. Eric Weber - Catonsville For more than a year and a half, Eric Weber has selflessly served as a volunteer at the Canteen at Spring Grove Hospital Center. Without his help, the Canteen could not be open as often as it is. Eric’s dedication and commitment to Spring Grove is an inspiration and he serves as role model to all his fellow citizens. Tina Finkle - Chase Tina Finkle’s selfless efforts on behalf of “Little Russell” – a sixth month old boy with leukemia - and his family demonstrate the kind of commitment and compassion that makes our communities strong. Tina constantly sacrificed her time and energy to ease the burden of caring for a sick child on “Little Russell’s” family. Mary E. Johnson - Randallstown Mary Johnson has donated countless hours of her time assisting families in the Randallstown community through the Good Samaritan Ministry of the We Are Family Community Development Corporation. Her efforts have obtained invaluable funding for this organization and the families that rely upon it are never wanting for food. Alice Krohn - Catonsville For nearly forty years Alice Krohn has been a dedicated member of the St. Agnes Hospital Auxiliary, volunteering hundreds of thousands of hours to support patients and their families. Known for acts of compassion such as playing the piano at the Oncology Unit for patients undergoing cancer treatment, she is a constant presence at the hospital and loved by all who know her. Arland Preston - Randallstown The “pulse” of the Stoneybrook community, Arland Preston works tirelessly to inspire his fellow residents to get involved and stay involved in their community. From a Citizens on Patrol effort to facilitating the cleaning of local streams by County government, to helping the elderly by keeping their grass cut and removing their snow, his efforts are making this community a better place to live for all its resident. Shomrim of Baltimore - Baltimore Since 2005, Shomrim of Baltimore has worked to strengthen the community’s quality of life by working to prevent and deter crime. Working together with local businesses, residents, and community groups, Shomrim is the only local volunteer organization that assists law enforcement 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. School Award Recipients
|
| ||
|
Courthouse 