For Immediate Release: 4/30/2014 Individuals and Groups Honored by County Executive Leggett for Service to the Montgomery County Community At the third Annual Montgomery Serves Awards Event held on April 28, County Executive Ike Leggett honored eight individuals and two groups for extraordinary service to the County through their work, volunteerism and deeds. The annual event, organized by Montgomery County’s Volunteer Center, was sponsored by the Fund for Montgomery (FFM). More than 300 guests attended the event held at Imagination State in Bethesda, including elected officials, government agency heads, representatives of community organizations, and friends and family of honorees. “Montgomery County is truly fortunate to have so many individuals and groups willing to give of their time and energy to volunteer and to serve our community,” said Leggett. “This annual event gives us an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ for the hard work and dedication they have shown to helping their neighbors. Our residents are our greatest resources, and I am proud to recognize this year’s honorees for their contributions to making our County the very special place it is today.” The FFM presented the first World of Montgomery Public Citizen of the Year award to Bruce Adams, director of Montgomery County’s Office of Community Partnerships. “This award was created to recognize leadership in creating a welcoming Montgomery County for diverse cultural, ethnic and minority groups, as well as recognizing a leader in the area of public service and volunteerism,” said FFM Chair Keith Haller. Congressman Chris Van Hollen and former Congresswoman Connie Morella joined Leggett and Haller in presenting the award to Adams. “Bruce chose the real love of his life – to do everything in his power to engender greater volunteerism, community participation and public service, for the betterment of all Montgomery County and to ensure that this County is the most welcoming community in America,” said Haller in presenting the award. “Bruce’s underlying core motive has always been to pass this value, belief and abiding behavior on to future generations in Montgomery County.” Van Hollen said, “There is no question that our community shows a clear commitment to service, and Bruce Adams exemplifies that spirit. I’m proud to honor his work with the inaugural World of Montgomery Public Citizen of the Year award.” The third annual Roscoe R. Nix Distinguished Community Leadership Award was presented by Leggett to Reverend Leon Grant, Dr. Michael Lin and Nancy Scull. The award honors community leaders, change agents and role models who have made extraordinary contributions to Montgomery County over the course of their lives. The award is named in memory of Roscoe Nix who died in 2012 after giving half a century of service to the County as president of the Montgomery County NAACP, as a member of the Board of Education, and in many other ways. Nix’s daughters, Veretta Nix and Susan Nix-Webster shared childhood memories of their father and the lessons he taught by words and example about being a positive change in their community. Joe Howard and Mona Negm received the Neal Potter Path of Achievement Awards for 2014. The award, named in recognition of former County Executive and Council Member Neal Potter, honors those 60 years of age and above who have given a lifetime of volunteer service. The County’s Commission on Aging and “The Beacon Newspapers” have supported this award for over a decade with the help of the Volunteer Center. The Montgomery Serves Awards that recognize extraordinary volunteer service performed during the previous year were presented in four categories. Jason Amboo received the Youth award; the JBG Companies, the Business award; Lorig Charkoudian, the Community Service – Individual award, and Chevy Chase At Home received the Community Service – Group award. “I’m thrilled to join tonight’s event to highlight the work of some of Montgomery County’s exceptional leaders and volunteers – these individuals have truly made a difference in the lives of others,” said Van Hollen. For more information about the awards and award recipients, visit www.montgomeryserves.org or call 240-777-2600 or email serviceawards@montgomerycountymd.gov. # # # Release ID: 14-187 Media Contact: Katie Sayago 240-777-2608 or Keith Haller240-620-5454

http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/News/press/PR_details.asp?PrID=13654

]]>