Media Contacts:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Anna Hunter, Marketing and Public Information Superintendent, Department of Recreation & Parks, 410-313-4686
Honor a volunteer by donating an art rock beginning April 1
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Today, Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks and the Department of Community Resources and Services announced the start of the Howard County Volunteers Rock! Initiative, in honor of National Volunteer Week April 18-24.
Beginning April 1, artists of all ages are invited to share a few words of gratitude for volunteers by painting and donating an art rock. The rocks should be in honor of an individual volunteer or group that has had a positive impact on the Howard County community. Each rock contributed will be placed on display at the Ellicott City 50+ Center, Gary J. Arthur Community Center (2400 MD 97) in Cooksville or the North Laurel Community Center (9411 Whiskey Bottom Road) rock gardens until August 1, 2021.
Howard County is home to so many incredible volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy to serving and improving our community. Thank you to our Recreation & Parks team for organizing a fun and creative way for residents to honor volunteers, brighten our community centers, and inspire others to give back.
“Donating your free time is one of the best ways to give back to your community and volunteers are essential to everything we do at Recreation & Parks” said Recreation & Parks Director Raul Delerme. “This is true whether they’re helping to maintain our outdoor spaces during a guided trash pickup, inspiring our young athletes as coaches or assisting with the dozens of special events we hold each year. While we cannot repay the time and effort our volunteers have gifted to Howard County, we can pay tribute to their hard work with these displays at our three community rock gardens.”
“We are partnering with Recreation and Parks to recognize the contributions of the many volunteers who make Howard County ‘rock solid’ as a community” said Darlene Vaselaros, Volunteer Coordinator for the Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS). “I hope many residents will join us to say thank you by participating in our ‘Volunteers Rock’ campaign!”
To contribute your own art rock or to learn more about upcoming volunteer opportunities, visit www.hocovolunteer.org.