Nonprofit Village's Annual 'It Takes a Village Awards' Honors Work of Montgomery County Nonprofit Groups

Nonprofit organizations in Montgomery County provide a rich variety of services to area residents, including offering food, clothing and shelter for the needy, supporting people with a variety of health problems, combating illiteracy, creating art in all its varieties, providing afterschool programs for kids, and much more. In Bethesda this week, community leaders came together to honor local nonprofits and the people and businesses that support them for their service.

The occasion was the Nonprofit Village's second annual "It Takes a Village Awards," presented on May 16 to two nonprofits (Holy Cross Hospital and Girls on the Run), one individual (Debra Liverpool of Family Services, Inc.), and one company (United Communications Group).

County Executive Ike Leggett and Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler were among the state and local officials joining in honoring the awardees. Leggett applauded the work nonprofits do "filling the gaps" in the County, noting that for such organizations to be most effective, "we need them to operate in a very efficient way." He went on to praise the Nonprofit Village for providing office space and services to nonprofits at its Rockville facility, helping the groups focus more of their resources on their core missions.

Keynote speaker Thomas Graham, Pepco Region President, the newly appointed chair of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, urged business leaders at the event to engage with nonprofits, and to "do more than write a check," by encouraging their employees to donate volunteer time to nonprofits in the community. He noted that Pepco does both, donating more than $4 million to 350 nonprofit organizations, while its employees contribute thousands of volunteer hours.

Recipients of this year's "It Takes a Village Awards" have served nonprofits and those who depend on them in a variety of ways.

Family Services' Debra Liverpool, recognized as an "individual making a difference," brings people and resources together in unique ways to address local needs. She has served in development roles for a variety of nonprofits, including the American Red Cross, Washington Adventist Hospital, the University of Maryland and the Rockville Chamber of Commerce. Her volunteer work also includes fundraising for Interfaith Works, Leadership Montgomery, the Montgomery County Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, and Alpha Kappa Alpha, a service sorority.

Holy Cross Hospital, recognized as a "large nonprofit making a difference," is a longtime leader in public health promotion and disease prevention in the community.  A not-for-profit, Holy Cross has developed a myriad of partnerships, projects and educational programs aimed at responding to identified community health needs, and to increasing access and improving health status, particularly for the most vulnerable and underserved in the community. The hospital offers more than 50 different types of health and wellness classes, health screenings, lectures, chronic-disease programs and exercise programs, many offered for free at locations around the county.

Girls on the Run, recognized as a "small nonprofit making a difference," is a unique, afterschool program for 3^rd- through 8^th-grade girls, designed to promote healthy habits and an active lifestyle. The program combines race training with education and interactive discussions about critical issues that will affect pre-teen girls as they reach adolescence. The program operates in more than 100 elementary and middle schools throughout the county, with more than 400 volunteer coaches. The organization is a tenant of the Nonprofit Village. In accepting the award, Girls on the Run Executive Director Elizabeth McGlynn made the point that taking advantage of the Nonprofit Village's offerings has "allowed us to grow into a more professional organization," giving it the opportunity to "share, network and grow."

United Communications Group, recognized as a "business making a difference," models a positive and balanced work environment for its employees and strives to be a corporate partner for the community. The company's work with the Montgomery County Business Roundtable for Education guides groups of students through career path programs via large and small conferences. The company actively encourages its employees to commit their time and talents to volunteer opportunities with area nonprofits, an effort that reaches back more than 30 years to include tutoring students, helping local families in need, volunteering on "Make a Difference Day," assisting families after disasters and more. The company has also been recognized by Washingtonian  Magazine as one of the Best Places to Work in the region.