38th Annual Harford’s Most Beautiful People Awards Honors Volunteers

Thirty-eight selfless volunteers were honored at the 38th Annual Harford’s Most Beautiful People Awards held on October 3 in Bel Air. The awards celebrate the meaningful contributions made by unsung heroes who give their time and talents to those in need throughout the county.

Hosted by County Executive Bob Cassilly and the Harford County Department of Housing and Community Services, this year’s awards ceremony was held at the Bel Air Church of the Nazarene. The event was emceed by WMAR-TV’s Kristy Breslin and drew more than 200 attendees, including the nominees and the citizens who nominated their fellow community members.

Len Nicewonger received the 2024 Harford’s Most Beautiful Ripple Effect Award, so named because of the ripples that spread from a single pebble dropped in a pond, just as a single volunteer benefits the broader community. Nominated by Helen Nicewonger, Len was chosen for his commitment to disabled veterans and children in Harford County. Len is the co-founder and president of God’s Outdoor Angels Foundation, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization with a mission to provide an outdoor experience for disabled vets and chronically and seriously ill children through fishing and hunting excursions. Len’s goal is to give a safe and enjoyable trip of a lifetime and offer peace, empowerment and healing to those suffering from trauma.

The Harford’s Most Beautiful Shining Light Award was established to recognize the volunteers who bravely use their personal stories to “shine a light of awareness” on serious issues facing our
county. These volunteers fight stigmas and talk about difficult subjects despite deep, personal, and painful experiences. This year, Patrice Bullock received the Shining Light Award as the founder of Bailey’s Heart & Soul Foundation which she started to bring awareness to sudden cardiac arrest and Wolf Parkinson’s White Syndrome after the tragic loss of her son, Bailey. Through the foundation, Patrice has donated over $40,000 in scholarships, provided necessary medical equipment to various groups in the county and lobbied for the Bailey Bullock Act - requiring every public and private school to create a cardiac emergency response plan – which was signed into law in April 2024.

This year, Harford’s Most Beautiful nominations were also open to groups. This award is presented to a group of individuals who come together collectively and volunteer for the common good of the Harford County Community. The Harford’s Most Beautiful Group award was presented to the Harford County Public Schools’ Special Education Administrative Leadership Team. Members of the team include Mary Germand, Kim Heeter, Jeffrey Hoffman, Shannon Holley, Kim Manzo, Robin Meyer, Carey Reise, Melissa Romano, Colleen Sasdelli, Stephani Swisher and Pauline Timmons who were nominated by Cheryl Mele for their support of the ARC Northern Chesapeake Region’s Adopt-A-Home program which provides corporate volunteers the opportunity to connect with individuals supported by the ARC NCR who have very limited occasions to celebrate during the holidays.

Nominated by Nolan Gallion, the Harford’s Most Beautiful First Responder award was presented to Rhonda Hinch for 40 years of dedicated service to the Level Fire Company. In addition to her impressive resume with the company, Rhonda created the county’s first Safety Camp program in 1993 and has educated numerous children about valuable safety lessons.

Also celebrated at this year’s ceremony were Harford’s Most Beautiful People nominees Ruthie Bottiger, David Donovan, Tina Ervin, Barbara Godbolt, Leo and Terry Handerhan, NeAnni Ife, Nancy Jones, Arlene Klapproth, Caroline Koluch, Molly Neal, Sandy Osborn, Betty Curry Phipps, William Poole, Joanne Price, Jane Scocca, and the Just Having Fun Singers group made up of core members Angel Breton, Karen Donnelly, Jan Gilman, Kathy Kelly, Sue Nieto, Carol Schatz, Sandi Vachek, and Dottie Vinopak.

“I would like to extend my profound thanks to these volunteers who tirelessly dedicate their time and effort to support our community,” County Executive Bob Cassilly said. “The thousands of hours of service they willingly provide plays a key role in making Harford County a better place.”

A photo gallery of the evening will be available online at www.harfordcountymd.gov/HMB.

This year’s platinum sponsor was APG Federal Credit Union. In-kind sponsors included Richardson’s Flowers and Gifts; Wegmans; A Capella Journey; HarfordTV; Events Catering Company; and Kristy Breslin, WMAR-TV; and the Bel Air Church of the Nazarene. Attendees at
the ceremony were treated to entertainment from A Capella Journey and HarfordTV was on hand to record the one-hour ceremony, which was livestreamed on their Facebook page. It will be available on their website, www.harfordtv.org and YouTube page.