The Baltimore Ravens have selected three outstanding community volunteers for their 2011 Community Quarterback Award recipients. Funded by NFL Charities and the Ravens All Community Team Foundation (RACTF), the Community Quarterback Award recognizes individuals who exhibit leadership, dedication and commitment to bettering their local communities.
The three honorees will be honored at M&T Bank Stadium this Sunday (11/20), when the Ravens host the Cincinnati Bengals. Each Community Quarterback will receive tickets for themselves and a guest, as well as Ravens memorabilia and merchandise, and a $2,500 grant to their respective nonprofit organization. All three recipients will be recognized on the field prior to the game's kickoff. The 2011 Community Quarterbacks and their accomplishments are listed below:
Angelo Johnson, Art with a Heart, Inc.
Johnson is a hardworking and dedicated volunteer, who donates his time to providing underprivileged Baltimore-area youth and adults with interactive visual arts through Art with a Heart, Inc. Art with a Heart brings its visual art classes into underserved communities, including shelters, group homes, community centers, schools, hospitals and senior facilities. While balancing a demanding schedule of school and work, Johnson assists the organization by completing various tasks such as moving heavy grout, grouting mosaics, sorting tile, carrying tile and cleaning up after events. His seemingly effortless interactions with people of all ages and backgrounds have had an obvious positive impact on their daily lives. Through his volunteer efforts, Johnson provides a great amount of support, encouragement and praise for all participants.
Ron Mann, American Red Cross of the Chesapeake Region
For almost a decade, Mann has advocated and worked as a volunteer at the American Red Cross of the Chesapeake Region. Although he originally started as a disaster response volunteer, he soon found that his skills in building maintenance were in high demand. In the years since, Mann has faithfully volunteered twice a week at the American Red Cross building on Mt. Hope Drive in Baltimore. His vast list of responsibilities include repairing the roof, painting an office, fixing a leaky faucet and drafting proposals to solicit bids for work to be done by local contractors. He has also given support to several young volunteers who have worked under his direction and benefitted from his wisdom and devotion. His hard work and dedication have been instrumental in maintaining the facility and keeping it in excellent condition so that the mission of the Red Cross can be fulfilled. Most recently, this same building that Mann maintains housed many families that were displaced by Hurricane Irene, providing them with comfort and support.
Kate Wolfson, Baltimore SquashWiseÂ
In addition to being a busy third-year student at the University of Baltimore School of Law, Wolfson dedicates several hours a week to volunteering her time at Baltimore SquashWise. SquashWise is a unique youth development program combining squash coaching, academic tutoring, nutrition education, community service and team-building activities to ensure that local youth excel academically, athletically and in life. Wolfson volunteers weekly as a tutor for middle school and high school youth, serves as a chaperone on weekend squash trips and promotes the organization's work to other prospective volunteers. She also takes time to mentor young women at SquashWise, providing stability and guidance to teenagers facing many challenges; both academically and socially. Aside from her work at SquashWise, Wolfson also volunteers for the Homeless Persons Representation Project and the Maryland Food Bank.
Due to the overwhelming response, the Ravens chose to recognize three additional individuals with $1,000 grants for the work they've done to improve Maryland communities:
Josh Birenbaum, Paul's Place, Inc.
David Ensor, Emily Schindler Memorial Triathlon
Carole Sibel, Mt. Washington Pediatric HospitalÂ
