Olney Help’s Simonds to receive a Montgomery Serves Award

by Terri Hogan

Senior Staff Writer

Marilyn Simonds, who served as director of Olney Help for more than 14 years, will be among those honored for exemplary community service at the sixth annual Montgomery Serves Awards at 6:30 p.m. April 24 at Imagination Stage in Bethesda.

The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required.

Simonds is a recipient of a Neal Potter Path of Achievement Award, honoring lifetime volunteer service by those ages 60 and up.

Simonds has been actively involved with Olney Help for nearly 30 years and currently serves as an ex-officio board member. Among her many achievements at Olney Help, she recently spearheaded the development of the organization’s new food pantry.

Olney Help has offered food and financial assistance to families for over 40 years. It serves the communities of Olney, Brookeville, Brinklow, Sandy Spring and Ashton.

At 90 she is proving age is not a hindrance. She is also a long-term volunteer for the MedStar Montgomery Medical Center Gift Shop and frequently volunteers at Manna Food Center, Suburban Hospital and the Women’s Association of Oakdale Emory Church.

“Montgomery County is blessed with talented and dedicated residents who donate uncounted hours to making the county a better place to live and work,” County Executive Isiah Leggett says in a press release. “We would be a much less vibrant county without their many contributions, and I congratulate this year’s winners on their outstanding achievements. These exemplary citizens are outstanding examples of what makes Montgomery County such an extraordinary place.”

To learn more about the awards and other honorees, go to www.MontgomeryServes.org.

To reserve tickets for the event, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-montgomery-serves-awards-tickets-3146097763.

‘Give and Ride’ food drive set for April 23-29

Ride On bus passengers can help needy families and ride free by donating canned or nonperishable food during the 30th annual “Give and Ride” food drive.

Ride On will collect donations from April 23-29.

Food collection bags will be placed near the fare boxes on all Ride On buses.

In addition to non-perishable food, items for children, such as healthy items, disposable diapers, formula, baby or toddler food and juice are especially needed.

Donated items should be in unbreakable containers only.

Food collected through the drive goes to the Manna Food Center, which provides nutritious food to thousands of families experiencing hunger. Manna continues to see a steady increase in the number of families needing assistance.

Several years ago, the drive was shifted to the spring to help Manna stock its shelves at a time when their food supplies run low.

Even those who do not use Ride On can donate items. Give donations to any Ride On bus operator or drop off donations directly to Manna Foods, 9311 Gaither Road in Gaithersburg.

For information about Ride On, call 311 or TDD/TTY 301-251-4850 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday or go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-transit/.

—    From press releases from Montgomery County Government.