Governor’s Service Awards Honorees
Watch remarks from Governor Hogan here. Photos from the ceremony can be found at govpics.maryland.gov.
President & CEO Carmen Del Guercio guides the vision and leads the daily operation of the Maryland Food Bank.
The son of Italian immigrant factory workers, Carmen always had enough food on the table — but as an adult he realized that his family, like so many others, were just one event away from food insecurity. After learning how widespread hunger in Maryland is, Carmen was compelled to help fulfill the food bank’s mission. With this in mind, he joined MFB in 2016 after a successful 29-year career in the banking industry.
Today, Carmen is leading the food bank on an ambitious new movement that is not only feeding more people, but offering solutions that address the “root causes” of food insecurity. Outside of the office, you can find Carmen enjoying local sports teams, spending time with his wife and three grown daughters on Delmarva beaches, or traveling. Carmen was selected for the Governor’s Service Award as the Governor’s Champion of Service.
William (Bill) Mandicott currently serves as the Assistant Vice President for Student and Community Involvement with Frostburg State University. Bill’s career spans forty-four years of professional experience in higher education administration regionally and nationally, with an emphasis on community engagement, national service, civic engagement, and the arts. Bill’s service within the State of Maryland includes Chair and member of the executive leadership team of the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism; Past Chair and member of the leadership team for the Maryland State Arts Council; and has served locally on several community organizations including but not limited to the FrostburgFirst Main Street program, the Allegany County Animal Shelter Foundation and the Western Maryland Food Bank, Bill is the founder of the ASTAR! in Western Maryland AmeriCorps program (along with Lisa Clark) and has been engaged in some capacity with the GOSV since AmeriCorps was launched in 1994. William was selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 AmeriCorps Achievement category.
Since 1960, Wylie L. Donaldson has continuously held a leadership position in the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company. Serving at different times as Chief and as President, he has led the growth and development of our organization to be the strongest volunteer fire company in Anne Arundel County. Today our fire company has more than 180 members who respond to over 5,000 calls annually. In 2019, Wylie received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Volunteer Fire Council, the highest possible honor for a volunteer firefighter. Wylie started in the fire service at a time when the fire protection in our county was largely provided by volunteer firefighters. Hence, he has always believed in the value of volunteer firefighters to the community and has continuously advocated for the interests of the volunteer fire service. Wylie strongly believes that a community is stronger and better when its citizens participate in public service. Much of our current success as the strongest and most active volunteer fire company in Anne Arundel County, as well as Maryland, can be attributed to the foundation laid by Wylie over his many decades of dedicated service. Wylie effectively uses his large network to find ways to make the Greater Odenton Community better for all. Whether serving as Vice President of our fire company or President of the Odenton Heritage Society, he is actively working to make our county a better place to live, work and play. Currently, Wylie is working with the Odenton Town Center Oversight Committee to establish a new Greater Odenton Community Park, a much-needed amenity. In fact, Wylie has often been called the “Mayor of Odenton”. Wylie was selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 Lifetime Achievement category.
Jacqueline Orellana was born and raised in Washington D.C. She is a proud Salvadoran American. Jacqueline is a former student of William Wirt Middle School. She is a PGCPS alum who graduated from Bladensburg High School. She has been working at the Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers (MMYC)/ Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) for the past six years. Jacqueline served as an AmeriCorps member for two years as a full-time and part-time member. She provided in-school and after-school assistance to middle school students at Buck Lodge and William Wirt Middle School. She served as the Career Specialist with the Youth CareerConnect Program at Bladensburg High School providing 99 students with Job Readiness Training. She also became the case manager for Community Schools. She continues to support the community by coordinating food banks and volunteering with English classes. Jacqueline wants to be a role model to the youth and make a difference in the community. Currently, she is the Wellness AmeriCorps Program Manager. She is coordinating the AmeriCorps program and overseeing the HIV & Food & Security Programs in the community she was raised in.
Watch Jacqueline in action on YouTube!
Continuum Healthcare Network is a healthcare resource that assists vulnerable and underserved patient populations, but CEO Jhenileen Libongco-Barbour wanted to do more. Since May of 2020, they have gathered and distributed more than 10,000 units of PPE to 20 community organizations. Jhenileen and her family personally volunteered 512 hours delivering groceries, and the company hosted 10 health fairs and vaccination clinics in Montgomery County and Prince Georges’s County. Continuum Healthcare Network was selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 Corporate Business category.
Shelley and Anita Abbott turned a couple of appearances on the Quarantine Karaoke Facebook page into their own page with 17,000 followers. They have raised more than $25,000 for local bartenders, restaurant servers and churches by singing and holding auctions online. This was all from their home in Trappe, Maryland. They also give gift cards to people who are unemployed, helped a cancer patient buy a vehicle to get to chemo appointments, and bought pizzas for nursing home staff and games for residents while supporting local businesses. The Shelly Abbott Fan Club on Facebook, is a collection of gospel songs, original songs, and yes – karaoke. Shelley and Anita Abbott were selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 Emerging Leader category.
Walter and Alicia Nick were selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 Faith-Based category.
Walter V. Nick, Jr. was born in Annapolis, Maryland in June 1961. He was born into a military family and spent his early years traveling and living in different states and countries during his father’s different deployments in the U.S. Army. His family would eventually move to and settle in a community in Southern Anne Arundel County called Shadyside, Maryland.
Alicia M. Nick was born in Washington, DC in November 1961. Alicia was raised in Prince Georges County, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Walter graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a B.S. degree in Economics and a Behavior and Social Science Certificate in Afro-American Studies in 1983.
Walter and Alicia have been married for 36 ½ years and are the proud parents of Maria L. Nick and Maurice V. Nick. They were blessed to retire from the workforce in 2018, after working 36 and 38 years, respectively.
Walter attended Asbury UMC as a child, in Annapolis, MD, and in 1979 he joined the House of Prayer Church of God, No.1, in Capitol Heights, Maryland. Walter is an Ordained Minister of the Gospel and he has worked in many offices and served in different capacities at the church from grass cutting and church janitor to ushering and singing in many of the church choirs. He also teaches the weekly Bible Study Class at church, but now through the Zoom media platform.
Alicia has been active in the church her whole life, attending the church her father Pastored, the Apostolic Faith Church of God, in Croom, Maryland. There she also sang in the choirs and served in many offices: such as a Missionary visiting and praying for the sick and shut-in parishioners. She joins her husband weekly, as they keep two churches clean and sanitized during this time of Covid.
But most importantly, they live out their faith in the service they give in the church and just as important outside of the church. They initiated the food box distribution for needy families in their community, with the assistance of their Men’s Ministry they have given out over 1800 food boxes.
Currently, they are providing leadership and assistance to a church in their fellowshipping organization. Walter and Alicia have partnered with the Samaritan’s Purse organization and spearheaded an outreach called Christmas Child, where they pack shoeboxes full of gifts and toys for under-resourced children in impoverished countries.
Walter and Alicia started a weekly radio broadcast of hope, called “Walking By Faith Ministries.” This radio broadcast can be heard in the Richmond, VA, and the Pensacola, FL listening areas.
Watch their video on YouTube here!
Corporal Vaughn “Jay” Johnson was born and raised in Calvert County, Maryland. He attended Calvert County public schools and graduated from Calvert High School.
Corporal Johnson has a storied history in law enforcement that includes 6 years at the FBI, 2 1/2 years for the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and over 22 years for the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office. During his time as a Calvert County Sheriff’s Deputy, Corporal Johnson has worked on the Drug Enforcement Unit, the Warrant Unit and currently serves as a School Resource Officer. Vaughn currently resides in Calvert County with his wife and has 3 children and 2 grandchildren.Corporal Johnson steadfastly believes in giving back to the community and continues to devote his free time to community programs, causes and the mentorship of Calver County’s youth. His volunteer experiences include:• 1990-92 Calvert High school varsity boys’ basketball
• 2000-04 Calvert Middle School boys’ basketball
• 2013 Calvert Tee Ball
• 2013-15 Prince Frederick Eagles youth tackle football assistant coach 6U & 7U
• 2015-present Solomons Steelers youth tackle football assistant coach 7U, 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U and 14U 2013-present Calvert Youth Flag football assistant coach
• 2016-present Calvert Steelers travel Flag assistant coach
• 2017-2019 Calvert County parks n rec boys’ basketball Huntingtown High School BROs mentoring group
• Calvert Middle School JR MAC scholar mentoring group
• End Hunger food deliveriesCorporal Johnson was selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 First Responder category. Watch a clip of him in action on YouTube!
Kevin N. Logan is the Intake Investigator for the Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity. Before joining the Office of Human Rights and Equity Kevin spent 14 years with Baltimore City Government working as a Special Agent for the Office of the Inspector General and an Accounting Systems Analyst with the Bureau of Accounting and Payroll Services. Kevin was selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 Government Employee category. As a Generosity Global Selfless Saturday volunteer Kevin has spent countless hours collecting clothes in addition to providing more than 10,000 sodas and waters for people experiencing homelessness in Baltimore City.
Kevin’s love for service was stimulated after participating in the federally mandated Point- in-Time (PIT) count for people experiencing homelessness. Eager to assist, Kevin became a Selfless Saturday volunteer for Generosity Global. Every 2nd and 3rd Saturday of each month Selfless Saturday volunteers gather to deliver warm home-cooked meals, clean clothing, essential hygiene products, and haircuts to Baltimore City’s homeless community. Additionally, Selfless Saturday volunteers share love, kindness, and compassion helping restore dignity and self-worth. Through serving, Selfless Saturday volunteers build a bridge of hope into the homeless community, understanding their most important needs and contributing to the transition from crisis to self-sufficiency.
Kevin received his first Certificate of Appreciation from Generosity Global in 2016, citing his tireless commitment and selflessness to better humanity. Kevin has also been the sole care-taker for his elderly, disabled mother for the past 11 years. Despite working full time and being a full-time care-taker Kevin continues to faithfully serve.
Watch a short video on Generosity Global Selfless Saturday here.
Potomac Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Vita Healthcare actively volunteers and supports non-profit organizations that provide services to the community. They also happen to be on the front lines of healthcare as a skilled, sub-acute care nursing facility in Montgomery County. During the early stages of the pandemic there were immediate needs in food security, educational, and healthcare resources. This staff, and their families, stepped up to help. Here are some of the organizations they support: Small Things Matter, which provides “kid-powered kindness” to tackle food insecurity and literacy; the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation in Rockville that mobilizes the Sikh community; and the American Diversity Group, which aims to increase access to healthcare. They were selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 Group category.
Watch their video about the community the staff creates when they aren’t making a difference in the community on YouTube.
Founded in May 2020 by a three-time cancer survivor, Kits to Heart is a nonprofit organization that gives thoughtfully designed, curated cancer care kits to patients and caregivers. Its mission is to bring smiles and solidarity to those affected by cancer. Working with skilled and dedicated volunteers, Kits to Heart has donated more than 2,400 cancer care kits and hundreds of blankets to 49 U.S. states, including 25 hospitals and organizations in Maryland and D.C. The organization has been recognized in local and national media outlets for its efforts and plans to expand to hospitals nationwide. Kits to Heart was selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 Veteran category.
Hear from the founder Sonia Su about the evolution of Kits to Heart on YouTube!
Kiley Hockenbrock is a 21-year-old, disabled citizen of Maryland, who has been a supporter of law enforcement her entire life. When she witnessed how law enforcement officers throughout the country were being treated, she wanted to do something special. Her “Back the Blue in Maryland” project was her way of thanking police officers in Maryland for caring for and keeping the citizens of our great state safe. She visited law enforcement agencies throughout the state, delivering gift cards to police officers with a personal note, letting them know of her support and love. Kiley was selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 Individual category.
Learn more about her service on YouTube!
The Indian Cultural Association of Howard County’s (ICA) goal is to bring the diverse communities in Howard County together, share the Indian culture, and serve the community. During the pandemic, ICA focused its efforts on alleviating hunger. ICA has distributed over 2.3 million pounds of food (an estimated 2 million meals) to struggling families in Maryland. Between March 2020 and November 2021, more than 350 ICA volunteers distributed healthy and nutritious food from more than 125 Pop-Up Pantries, from the parking lots of schools, libraries, temples, churches, apartment complexes, senior homes, and trailer parks, with deliveries to homeless/women’s shelters, the disabled and to those who are homebound. ICA team worked tirelessly in the bitter cold, in the rain, snow, blistering heat to help fellow Marylanders. ICA is committed to serving those in need with the core belief that with simple acts of kindness we can change the world.
ICA President, Sanjay Srivastava, was awarded the prestigious 2021 Andrus Award, the ICA Youth SEVA Corps has been recognized by Baltimore Ravens, M&T Bank, and the MD Governor’s office for Service & Volunteering for their contribution in alleviating hunger. ICA is expanding its efforts to alleviate hunger in Howard County and is developing a 25-acre farm dedicated to increasing nutritious food available to low-income families in Howard County. ICA was selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 Maryland Strong category.
Watch ICA volunteers in action on YouTube!
The Asian American Center of Frederick sponsors the national Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, or RSVP, Maryland’s senior citizens are cherished members of the community, who have unique wisdom, knowledge, and experience to offer younger generations. They pair seniors with opportunities that match interests or expertise at 20 different stations in the area, including the Red Cross, Fox Haven Farm, 4H Therapeutic Riding, the Literacy Council, the United Way, and Chords of Courage – a program to motivate young people to use music as a catalyst for engagement. They also hold a health fair for residents to receive full medical checkups, which is in its 14th year. They were extremely active in the vaccination effort for seniors. Three exceptional RSVP volunteers were selected and humbly chose to share their recognition with the entire program for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 National Service category.
Photos featuring nominated RSVP volunteers James, Vanessa, and Chooi-Hah assisting with cultural exchange, Food Drop, and Across Ages programs. Across Ages helps middle schools receive tutoring and learn drug prevention.
MidShore Meals til Monday was started by Leslie Bishop in April, 2017. This nonprofit organization, a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, sends home supplemental weekend food for food-insecure students attending Dorchester County Public Schools. Starting with 25 children at one school, Meals til Monday has grown to having initiatives in every school in Dorchester County. In addition to the weekend bags (Meals til Monday), “Meals til Morning” bags of an overnight meal are provided for high school students. All students who receive our bags are given dental supplies and warm hats and gloves in the winter. We stock our school partners with emergency food supplies for their families. We sponsor a weekly Farmer’s Market and food pantry in Vienna, Md, hold large food distributions several times each month for the entire community, and provide food resources to anyone who needs food assistance. We are an all-volunteer organization comprised of over 150 people of diverse backgrounds all dedicated to “Working to end childhood hunger on the Mid-Shore and beyond.” MidShore Meals til Monday was selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 Nonprofit Volunteer Program category.
Watch their video on YouTube!
Silverline Health was selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 Small Business category. Mr. Nusrat Jamal is the President and Founder of Maryland-based company, Shireen Inc. A pioneer in the field of RF amplification in broadband wireless applications, he started the company in 2004. The company manufactures wireless communication products for commercial, industrial, and military applications. The amplifier products manufactured at Shireen Inc are considered to be among the best.
From humble beginnings, the company has grown to be a critical supplier to the communication industry and now offers products to several market segments. Shireen Inc has been a sole source supplier for some mission-critical components for US Army and Navy.
Mr. Jamal was born in Pakistan and migrated to the USA in 1987 at the age of 22. He worked his way through college doing various jobs, from construction worker to taxi driver. His story is no different than millions of other Americans who contribute to the success of the United States. He is a graduate of George Mason University and holds a degree in Electrical Engineering. He also holds two patents for RF amplification systems. He lives in Potomac, Maryland with his wife, Amina, and daughter, Shireen. Yes, the company is named after their daughter.
Mr. Jamal is a co-founder of a nonprofit organization, (www.peace-link.org) along with his wife Amina Jamal. They believe that global peace is tied to the literacy and social welfare of masses. Peacelink gives scholarships to students and supports work opportunities in Pakistan. It also supports clean drinking water projects in Pakistan.
Greg Reuss serves as Board Chair (Volunteer) for the Maryland Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). His focus areas include suicide prevention education, advocacy, and coalition building. Mr. Reuss retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2007, having served 30 years in a combination of operational and staff assignments. He then worked in the defense industry through 2016. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Naval Postgraduate School, U.S. Army War College, and Salisbury University. He currently works part-time as a Licensed Master Social Worker at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital. Mr. Reuss is an active community volunteer, supporting AFSP, the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership, and the Rotary Club of Lexington Park. Greg was selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 Veteran category.
Founded by Leonard Blackshear in 1995, Books for International Goodwill is the signature project of the Parole Rotary Club. Over the last 26 years, it has distributed over 9 million books to recipients in the U.S. and abroad promoting literacy and saving thousands of cubic feet of landfill space. B.I.G. is the largest volume volunteer-based project in the world with a regular crew of over one hundred volunteers sorting, packing ,shelving and shipping ,books. B.I.G. is funded by donations and regular book sales. The next book sale is December 4th. With the goal of “keeping books alive,” B.I.G. serves the local, national and international community, and was selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 Volunteer Program category.
Volunteers sort books at Books for International Goodwill.
Steve Frantzich, President of Books for International Goodwill.
Reed Spaulding is a junior at Townson High School and was selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 Youth category.
Reed shared, “I am also the organizer and creator of the Tributary Festival. I love music and the Bay and found that this festival would be the perfect way to connect the two. At this year’s festival, held on September 26th at the Baltimore Museum of Industry on the Inner Harbor, we were able to raise over $7,000 to support the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. We also had over 500 attendees, over 50 student volunteers running all aspects of the event, and received awesome press from local sources including WMAR, WJZ, WTMD, the Baltimore Sun, and more. At the event, we had a variety of local student and professional bands, food trucks, raffles, and engaging tents from environmental organizations. The idea behind the Tributary Festival was sparked because many of my fondest memories have been formed on the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers; be it fishing, crabbing, or boating with my grandparents on the Piankatank River in southern Virginia; tubing with my cousins on the Gunpowder in Baltimore County; attending Sandy Hill Camp on the Susquehanna; or sailing with the Downtown Sailing Club on the Inner Harbor. I am also a musician, playing in multiple bands and working on my music every day. I started on the drums, but have been learning guitar, bass, and keys and hope to record an album soon! Outside of these, I also play for the Towson Golf team and enjoy skiing, surfing, and hanging out with friends. I am so grateful for this honor to receive the Governor’s Service Award in the Youth category and look forward to doing more to support our environment in the future. We are currently in the planning stages of 2022’s Tributary Festival and we can’t wait to have it again soon!”
Watch highlights from the 2021 Tributary Festival on Baltimore County Public Schools’ Vimeo.
Eden Teodorovici has contributed abundant hours of service in her hometown Hagerstown in Washington County. A 17-year-old senior at North Hagerstown High School, she has contributed to her county and beyond as founder of Benefit Buckets, promotes a greener and litter-free community, co-founder of MaskForME, provides environmentally friendly masks to the homeless, and president of Empowerr, a youth-led organization to serve the community and empower youth. As founder and president, Eden has planned countless fundraisers, donated thousands of dollars to local homeless and under-resourced youth, set an example for students all over the area, and empowered students to evoke change in their communities. Eden was selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the 2021 Youth Hometown Hero category.
Watch her acceptance speech on YouTube.
Honoree Eden Teodorovici, founder of Benefit Buckets.
Honoree Eden Teodorovici and volunteers serving through Benefit Buckets for a greener, litter-free community.
Honoree Eden Teodorovici with Empowerr, a youth-led organization to evoke change in their communities.
Honoree Eden Teodorovici co-founder of MasksForME providing environmentally friendly masks to the homeless.
