Montgomery Serves Awards Recognize Exceptional Service to the Community

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Montgomery County named nine individuals and organizations as recipients of the eighth, annual Montgomery Serves Awards, Montgomery County’s highest honor for service and volunteerism. 

The ceremony is set for Monday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. at Imagination Stage at 4908 Auburn Ave. in Bethesda. The event is free and open to the public; but reservations are required as seating is limited. Reserve seats at montgomeryservesawards2019.eventbrite.com. 

The 2019 award winners will be recognized in three categories: 

The Roscoe R. Nix Distinguished Community Leadership Awards, honoring community leaders, change agents, and role models who have made extraordinary contributions to Montgomery County over the course of their lives is an award designated by the County Executive. This year’s awards will be presented to: 

• Charlotte Coffield, a long-time advocate for the Lyttonsville community, the formerly segregated neighborhood in which she has lived her whole life, and a leader in the preservation of the history of African Americans in Montgomery County. 
• Ike Leggett, of Burtonsville, who left a large imprint on Montgomery County during the years he served as a county councilmember and county executive, successfully navigating the county through the worst economic upheaval of our time while maintaining his commitment to an inclusive and growing community.
• David Rodich, a Brookeville resident and former executive director of SEIU Local 500, who has been involved in social justice for more than 40 years, advocating not only for union workers, but also for broader education needs, civil rights, and economic rights.

The Neal Potter Path of Achievement Awards, honoring lifetime volunteer service by those age 60 and up, will go to: 

• Karen Bashir, of Rockville, a founder of the Montgomery County Project Prom/Graduation (commonly known as "Post Prom"), who has also volunteered her professional skills as a nurse with the Muslim Community Center.
• Jacquette Frazier, in recognition of her years of service to seniors, youth, and people with disabilities at Essex House, the Takoma Park affordable housing community where she lives. 

The Volunteer of the Year Awards, recognizing outstanding volunteer service performed during the previous calendar year in four categories: 

• Volunteer of the Year: Amy Yontef-McGrath, a North Potomac resident who marked her 50th birthday by participating in 50 diverse service projects and blogged about the experience throughout the year.
• Youth Volunteer of the Year: Dhruv Pai, of Potomac, a freshman at Montgomery Blair High School who volunteered at Walter Reed National Medical Center, the KID Museum, and Democracy Summer. 
• Volunteer Group of the Year: KindWorks, whose 1,600 volunteers supported 22 nonprofit organizations and government agencies to serve thousands of vulnerable community members, including new refugee families and those experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and incarceration. 
• Business Volunteer of the Year: Hugo Salon in Kensington, which partnered with Easterseals DC MD VA to provide complimentary salon services to participants in the nonprofit's adult day services on a monthly basis. 

The Fund for Montgomery sponsors the Montgomery Serves Award ceremony and reception, which brings together elected officials, business leaders, community members, and volunteers to celebrate Montgomery County’s volunteer spirit. WUSA Anchor Andrea Roane will serve as emcee.  

The Montgomery County Volunteer Center organizes these prestigious annual awards and helps individuals and groups find volunteer opportunities year-round. Learn more about the Volunteer Center and the awards at www.montgomeryserves.org. For more information, email serviceawards@montgomerycountymd.gov or dial 240-777-2600. 

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Release ID: 19-109
Media Contact: Lorna Virgili 240-777-6507