Carolyn Laporte

      In the library on January 14 2013, Linda Price from My Neighbor’s Foundation was presented with the Golden Apple Award. The award, which was presented by Maryland’s State Comptroller Mr. Peter Franchot, is made to recognize outstanding volunteers, organizations and individuals, within the Maryland public school system. The award was created in November 2012 by Mr. Franchot and nominations were accepted for all 23 counties as well as Baltimore City until December 1, and the winners were decided by a panel of judges. 
    
     Linda Price was one of the seven nominees for Baltimore County and was the first person in the County to receive this award. She has worked with “countless students and families that have benefited over the years,” Principal Andrew Last said. People who were present when Mrs. Price received her award include administrators from Fifth District, Prettyboy, Seventh District, Sparks Elementary, and Hereford Middle School, members from My Neighbor’s Foundation, students and staff from Hereford High School as well as the Hereford Zone fire marshals and Mrs. Price’s family members.

     The event began with Principal Last introducing the people who were present at the time and describing Mrs. Price and the things that she has accomplished. Mr. Franchot then went to the front of the room and spoke a little about the award and how most volunteers don’t get paid and often don’t get the recognition that they deserve. “I call them the ‘unsung heroes’ of Maryland,” he said. He then went on to say that these “unsung heroes” provide an “invaluable contribution to our school system.”

     Mr. Franchot then began to talk about the person who would be receiving the award: Linda Price. He said that she had given them a vehicle to help those in need and has made many contributions to the school system. He said, “You can’t really live a happy life unless you’ve given like Linda Price has. Give to the community; give back to the folks who need help.”

     Third District Councilman Mr. Todd Huff, who has known Linda for years, made the audience chuckle when he said “You don’t say ‘no’ to Linda. She has done incredible work.”

     He then invited Mrs. Price to come to the front of the room to say a few words of thanks. She first thanked community activist Cathy Aitken who nominated her for the award and then she asked various members of My Neighbor’s Foundation and her family members to stand up as she thanked them.

     She went on to say that when she went to school there was “nothing for … kids to do.” Finally the sports field got lights when her daughter was in her first year of college. “It’s very rewarding to be a part of your lives,” she said to the students present. “It’s wonderful to be a part of this community.”

     She also thanked the people there who helped collect items so that those in need could have a good Christmas. “Without you guys they wouldn’t have had a Christmas,” she said.

    Linda, along with 23 others across the state of Maryland received this award from the comptroller in addition Mr. Franchot will send a personal check to My Neighbor’s Foundation.