FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2009
Media Contact:  Mary Chance, Director
Department of Community Services at 410-638-3389

Nominations for Good Neighbor Award Sought

(Bel Air, MD) - - Harford County’s Human Relations Commission sponsors the annual Good Neighbor Awards Program to honor local organizations for their contributions to the community.  Harford County residents and businesses are invited to nominate candidates for the awards, but they must hurry – nominations are due by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 18. 

Good Neighbor Awards are given to organizations for their volunteer community service.  Organizations are eligible to win in one of the five following organization categories: Nonprofit; Faith Based; Business; Youth/Education; and Government/Military.   

Additionally, there are two special award categories to organizations who demonstrate exemplary volunteer service.  The Community Service Bridge Builder Award will go to an organization whose volunteer service bridged differences and promoted unity and cooperation.  The Community Service Heart Award will go to a small organization whose exemplary volunteer service made a large impact in the community.  

The "Honor Roll" of last year's award winners includes Mountain Christian Church (Faith Based category), Harford Family House (Nonprofit category), Special Needs Work Experience Program at North Harford High School (Youth/Education category), Kris Konstruction (Business category), U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (Government/Military category).  The Community Service Bridge Builder Award went to Aberdeen Masonic Lodge; and the Community Service Heart Award went to True Joy Ministries Education Scholarship Program.

Nominate now for the 2009 Good Neighbor Awards!  Submit community organizations that have expressed, through their volunteer efforts, a commitment to making Harford County a great place to live and work.

Nomination forms are available at all branches of the Harford County Public Library, the Harford County Office Building at 220 S. Main Street in Bel Air, and at www.harfordcountymd.gov.  You may also call 410-638-3150 or email swbryant@harfordcountymd.gov to request an application.

The Annual Good Neighbor Awards Program will take place on Thursday, June 18, 2009, 7:00 PM at St. Mary Magdalen Mission, located at 1716 Churchville Road in Bel Air.

Part of the mission of the Human Relations Commission is “to promote equality, understanding and harmonious relations among citizens of the County.”  For more information, contact Sylvia Bryant (Harford County Department of Community Services' Office of Human Relations) at 410-638-3150 or swbryant@harfordcountymd.gov.