Hodgson Praised for Community Contributions

Ray Hodgson remembers a time when Odenton was nothing but a small town with strawberry fields, tobacco farms and one-lane roads.

Things are a lot different now, but that hasn’t kept him from remaining engaged as a firefighter, community leader and volunteer. His lifelong efforts earned him the title of “Odenton Citizen of the Year” Wednesday night at the Greater Odenton Improvement Association’s annual meeting.

“Enough can’t be said about what Ray has done for this organization,” said GOIA President Joe Gorman.

Hodgson, a lifelong Odenton resident, earned praise from community members for his involvement with the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company, where he currently serves as assistant chief. Over the years, he’s been credited with improving the company’s training and upgrading safety measures. GOIA leaders also thanked him for his role in helping to create Odenton Day, the town’s largest community event each fall.

“I just learned at a young age that this was a way I could give back,” said Hodgson, who currently works as an operations manager at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute. “This is home. It’s always been home. You know everyone here.”

Hodgson is well-known for one annual tradition: dressing up as Santa Claus each December. He will be in full character on Dec. 3 at the “Lunch with Santa” event held by the fire department’s Ladies Auxiliary, and will also be present that day during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Babington Green.

During Wednesday’s event, Hodgson received citations from representatives of County Executive John Leopold and the delegation from Maryland’s District 21.

Outgoing fire chief Don Evick thanked Hodgson for his service.

“I’m grateful for all of Ray’s help,” said Evick, who hinted that Hodgson would be named the next fire chief in 2012. “This award is certainly well-deserved.

Hodgson said that as Odenton has grown, he’s found it important to remain involved in the fire department and to promote community events.

“You lose a little of that hometown,” he said. “And that’s the fortunate thing about being involved, is that you meet decent people as you keep expanding.”