Kennedy Wins Horizon Foundation's Transformative Leadership Award

Neighbor Ride, AMC Theatres, Autism Society and Montalvo Also Winners
 

Former Columbia Association president Padraic Kennedy is this year's winner of The Horizon Foundation's Richard G. McCauley Award for Transformative Leadership. He and other Horizon Foundation award winners will be honored at a breakfast on June 24 at the Hawthorn Center. Kennedy was Horizon's second board chair, serving from 2004 to 2006. Pat took the board to the next level of development following its early formative period, said Horizon president and CEO Richard Krieg. He was involved in some key initiatives, including the Foundation's youth asset development programs and our initial work in community emergency response. He brought a finely-honed understanding of the community into every discussion he had as board chair, Krieg added. He brings wisdom and focus to everything he does, and The Horizon Foundation was no exception." Kennedy called the award a great honor. McCauley, who was the first chair of Horizon's board, has done so much for Columbia and Howard County, Kennedy said. He's been such an incredible leader. To receive an award in his name really is a great honor.
 

Every year, The Horizon Foundation honors individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to community health and wellness. Neighbor Ride, which provides affordable, reliable transportation for seniors, is one of this year's winners of a Health Action Award. In the past year, the organization's 245 volunteers have provided 7,200 trips to medical appointments, cultural and social gatherings, fitness and educational classes, religious services, shopping and other day-to-day activities.
 

AMC Columbia and the Howard County Autism Society also won a Health Action Award for their sensory-friendly films. Because autism often causes hypersensitivity to light and sound, the theater volume is turned down during sensory-friendly screenings, and the lights are left on. The program began in 2007, when Elkridge resident Marianne Ross suggested special screenings to then Columbia AMC manager Dan Harris. More than 300 people turned out for the first show. Three years later, sensory-friendly screenings are available at 93 AMC theaters in 47 cities nationwide.

Elisa Montalvo, a Hispanic Achievement Specialist for the Howard County Public School System, is this year's winner of Horizon's Youth Development Award.  Montalvo joined the Howard County Public School System just over thee years ago as its first Hispanic Achievement Specialist. Since then, she has launched ENCUENTROS, the school system's Spanish-language television program for parents, and formed a Howard County Public School System Hispanic Youth Leadership Team, which builds community among Hispanic high school students, promotes academic achievement and higher education, reinforces positive ethnic identity and helps students develop leadership skills. She also initiated the school system's Hispanic Youth Mini-Symposium, which is planned and presented by students, promoted the growth of Hispanic youth clubs in Howard County middle and high schools and graduated three classes of Spanish-speaking parents from the Parent Academy. 

The Horizon Foundation, Howard County's largest philanthropy, addresses community health issues through strategic grants, community programs and partnerships with private and public institutions. For information about the Horizon Foundation, call 410-715-0311 or visit www.thehorizonfoundation.org.
 

Neighbor Ride Receives Benchmark Award for Business
 

                                           Howard County Commission on Aging 2010 Recognition Awards

On May 10^th Neighbor Ride was honored with the 2010 Benchmark Award for Business by the Howard County Commission on Aging. The award is presented to a for-profit or non-profit business located in Howard County or providing services in Howard County. It recognizes businesses that provide products and services that meet the needs of adults 60 and above and their families; workplace policies that support employment opportunities for adults 60 and above; or initiatives that address community aging needs. In receiving the award, Neighbor Ride was recognized as a business whose practices serve as a performance model for other organizations.


Pictured from left are Saba Sheikh - Chair, Howard County Commission on Aging; Brad Closs - Executive Director of Neighbor Ride; County Executive, Ken Ulman and Sue Vaeth - Administrator, Howard County Office on Aging. 

Fifth Anniversary Celebration

County Executive, Ken Ulman, speaks to Neighbor Ride volunteers, passengers and supporters	Volunteer-Laurie Bokulic, Community Outreach Coordinator-Colleen Konstanzer, Volunteer Coordinator-Rosemary Noble, and Bookkeeper-Carol Jackson take a photo break at the celebration
Neighbor Ride's passengers join the celebration	Members of Neighbor Ride's Board of Directors pose for a group photo
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Volunteers enjoy the 2009 picnic.

• Senior Volunteers - "Wheels" Provided by Neighbor Ride

In celebration of Volunteer Appreciation Month, Neighbor Ride is teaming up with the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County to promote volunteerism among those 60 and over. The wealth of talent and experience among older members of the Howard County community is a perfect fit for the ever-growing volunteer needs of local non-profit organizations and educational programs. Often, the only roadblock to getting seniors involved in volunteer activities is a lack of available transportation options.

NO-COST transportation will be available to seniors for their volunteer activities throughout the month of April, officially designated as Volunteer Appreciation Month. The no-cost rides will be provided through Neighbor Ride's Senior Volunteer Fund, established with generous support from the Ascend One EDGE Fund. 

Seniors wondering where their special skills and talents are needed in the community are encouraged to contact the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County at info@volunteerhoward.org or (410) 715-3172. They can also check the Center out on the web at www.volunteerhoward.org.

• With Neighbor Ride, folks over 60 can do volunteer work at low cost.
  By Janene Holzberg

Special to The Baltimore Sun October 12 2008 Life in America has come full circle for Paul Bikoi.

• Neighbor Ride participated in several parades.

The Lutz Family, Alison (volunteer driver), Steve, Alan, and Oliver and volunteer Inge Hyder participate in
the Longfellow parade in Columbia.

The Tim Smith Family and volunteer Jean Berulis participate in the Allview Parade.

Volunteer Dennis Boucher and his wife along with volunteer driver Linda Stright participate in the
River Hill Parade.

Neighbor Ride's Volunteer Family Picnic - 2008

Neighbor Ride Penguin Pace Team 2006 - From left to right: Dennis (vol.driver), Laurie (Volunteer MD Coordinator), Colleen (Founding Exec. Director), Gus (vol. driver), Buddie (Pat's husband), Pat (vol. driver), and, behind them, Gus' famous London cab.	Neighbor Ride Howard County Fair Fireman's Parade, August 7, 2005 - Driving blue London cab is volunteer driver Gus Karafas. Neighbor Ride banner is being carried by volunteer drivers Carol Spangler and George Pittman. Founding Executive Director Colleen Konstanzer and Volunteer MD coordinator Laurie Bokulic toss candy and frisbees to the crowd.