The Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) has selected the Howard 7 to receive CAC’s 2016 Humanitarian Service Award. The Howard 7 Rotary clubs’ collective commitment to the Head Start Program, in assuring that the children enrolled continue to have access to a summer program in Howard County, was cited as the group was named the winner of the award.

Howard 7 Rotary organizations will be publicly recognized at the 21th Annual Holland Award Dinner, which will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20, at the Turf Valley Conference Center. A reception will begin at 6 p.m., with the program beginning at 6:30 p.m.

For the first time in the history of the Rotary clubs in Howard County, the seven clubs came together to collectively support a signature program. This collaboration allowed for support of a shared vision and working together for the greater good.

The significance of the Rotary Clubs’ commitment has been a cornerstone in CAC’s ability to extend and expand the program for hundreds of low-income children ages 3 to 5.

“The support of our community organizations, specifically the ‘Howard 7,’ has been the bedrock of bringing together partners such as the Maryland State Department of Education the U.S. Department of Education, and the Health and Human Services to agree to blending of funds and bundling of program guidelines that paved the way to creating a full-day, full-year Pre-K program in Howard County,” said Bita Dayhoff, president of CAC.

Charlie McCabe, Rotary’s area governor for Howard County, in receiving this recognition on behalf of the seven Rotary clubs, underscored the importance of Howard 7’s partnership with the CAC.

“It’s truly rewarding to see the positive quality of life difference we’re making by working together. By partnering with CAC and others, we as Rotarians are able to better fulfill our mission of keeping ‘Humanity in Motion’ by giving back to both our community locally and around the world.”

The Humanitarian Award is named in recognition of Rev. John Holland, an influential member of the Howard County community. Holland, who served 10 years as president of the local branch of the NAACP, passed away in 1987.

Sponsorships are available for the Holland Awards Dinner. To purchase tickets, visit www.cac-hc.org or contact Brad Dwin of the CAC at [email protected] or 410-313-3714.