By Celeste Riddle
LSIA Board Member
Sherry Brown, one of Linthicum's most active community leaders, was named the winner of the 2011 LSIA Holland Award, which is given each year to the LSIA’s Volunteer of the Year. The award was presented to Brown at the June LSIA General Membership Meeting. Named for long-time Linthicum civic leader Tom Holland, the award honors the person whose contributions to the community over the previous year are significant and lasting. A brief history of Sherry’s many volunteer projects was presented at the LSIA June meeting. In 2007, when Marge Smith was honored with the Holland Award for her volunteer work beautifying Linthicum, her hard-working protégé had been - Sherry Brown! Sherry took over the care of the gardens from Marge about five years ago. Sherry has worked diligently and tirelessly planting/weeding in the Community Garden, the triangles and on the grounds of the Woman’s Club clubhouse as well as participating in the scheduled clean-up days at Linthicum Park on Benton Avenue. In fact, you have probably seen her working in one of those gardens, planting, watering, weeding and mulching!Sherry has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Linthicum Veterans Memorial and serves on the board of that committee. She has been an active member of the GFWC Woman’s Club of Linthicum Heights for eight years, serves as a member of its board and chairs the club’s Beautification and Garden Committee. A faithful supporter of the local schools, she volunteers and mentors students, going above and beyond what is expected of a mentor, such as inviting the students to her church and to pool parties at her home. As a member of the Linthicum Heights United Methodist Church, she teaches 4th and 5th grade Sunday School, participates as a church usher and serves on the Family Ministry Committee. Every winter Sherry and her husband, Bruce, are in charge of LHUMC’s one-week housing of the homeless in the Arundel House of Hope Winter Relief Program. This is a huge undertaking which includes lining up volunteers, meals, transportation, etc.
Through all of the above volunteer activities, Sherry demonstrates that she is committed to the betterment of the community. On a personal level, she cares for her elderly friends by providing transportation and by taking food and visiting those who are ill. She organizes Andover High School reunions for the classes of 1963-1969.
Sherry was presented with a framed certificate, honoring her as LSIA’s Volunteer of the Year and a pair of heavy-duty Wells Lamont garden gloves. A check for $100 will be sent in her name to the Arundel House of Hope Free Medical Clinic which is being built in Glen Burnie. After the presentation, Sherry credited the GFWC Woman’s Club of Linthicum Heights, Inc. for providing the flowers and mulch for the Linthicum beautification projects. She noted that "we can all help to beautify Linthicum” and that she can always use volunteers for helping to weed and, especially during the summer, helping to water the gardens. Mentors and volunteers are also needed at the local schools. Don’t be shy about volunteering! If you can help, call Sherry at 410-859-5022.
Never seeking credit or recognition for any of these projects, Sherry exemplifies the true spirit of volunteerism with her energy, perseverance and attention to detail. Marge Smith compares Sherry to the Energizer Bunny—"she…keeps going and going and going…” We are pleased to honor Sherry Brown with this award.
