2009 Affair of the Heart Honors Prince George's County Volunteers of the Year

The Prince George's County Executive's Office and the Prince George's Volunteer Center kicked off National Volunteer Week on Friday April 17, with a community-wide Affair of the Heart Gala and Silent Auction honoring Volunteers of the Year at the University of Maryland University College Inn and Conference Center by Marriott in Adelphi, Md.

Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson extended his thanks in the program notes.

"We honor our citizens and residents who volunteer their tireless efforts and lend a hand to make a better Prince George's County. These volunteers are recognized as heroes of our communities and remind us that we can all make a difference and touch the lives of others through volunteerism. I am grateful for all of your efforts to help make "Gorgeous Prince George's" a livable community."...

This year the Volunteer of the Year honorees are:

* All Shades of Pink Comfort Blanket Program Volunteers Group for their support of breast cancer patients going through the post-surgery recovery process;
* Christopher Blegen (Youth) for his long-term and varied volunteer service with Progressive Equestrian Therapeutic Services (PETS), Inc.;
* Terry Boykins (Individual) for his work with The City of District Heights' Young Men of Power Program;
* Hazel Cooper (senior) for her work with the SHABACK! Emergency Food and Clothing Pantry;
* William Marci (Bernie Nees Unsung Hero) for his service with the Veterans Medical Center's Volunteer Transportation Network;
* Volunteer Tutor Corps of Literacy Council of Prince George's County (Group) for improving the literacy rate in the County;
* Jacqueline B. Woody (County Agency) for her advocacy and service to improve the quality of life for Prince George's County residents through her leadership in various community initiatives, programs and projects through the Landover Educational Athletic & Recreationnal Nonprofit (LEARN); and
* Graduating seniors Brandon Browne (Bowie High School) and Allison Baumgartner (Bishop McNamara High School) will receive the Bernice "Bunny" LaCour Memorial Scholarship.