The Baltimore Ravens and the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism (GOSV) announce the kickoff of the 9th annual Honor Rows Program, presented by M&T Bank. During each Ravens home game throughout the 2008 regular season, the program honors youth groups or youth organizations that provide outstanding volunteer service to communities.
Winning groups will receive up to 100 tickets to a game, Honor Rows t-shirts for all participants, a pre-game on-field visit, official in-game recognition on the SMARTVISION screens and be featured in public service announcements on Baltimore's WBFF Fox 45 and The CW Baltimore in the week following the game.
Honorees will be selected by a panel of youth service leaders with the assistance of the GOSV, Baltimore Ravens and M&T Bank staff. Organizations must fill out an application and supply a 100-word essay describing why the group should be honored. Each nominee must demonstrate a strong youth volunteer service program to qualify for consideration.
"In the past five years, more than 4,000 young people have been recognized by the Honor Rows Program for their outstanding community service," said Atwood (Woody) Collins III, president of M&T Bank's Mid-Atlantic division. "Honor Rows is what our partnership with the Ravens is all about – strengthening the community. It's important to honor these young people who make a difference in the lives of others."
Governor Martin O'Malley continued: "Once again the Honor Rows Program will allow groups of young people from all over Maryland to see one of the best teams in the National Football League perform on their home field. But more importantly, Honor Rows will help teach them important lessons about civic responsibility. As youth work in outreach programs through their schools, churches and neighborhood organizations, they begin to understand that they can do something to make a positive difference in the lives of others. When the ethics of service and volunteerism are instilled at an early age, they become lifelong practices that make communities stronger and improve the quality of life in our state."
For further information or to receive an application, please visit a participating M&T Bank branch location or download applications online or submit an application by August 8, 2008.
