Support Howard County Human Services Through Audrey Robbins Sponsorships

Columbia, Maryland… Gerald Ford was President, Columbia was less than 10 Years old, gas prices averaged $.52, the Dow Jones high reached 862 and the average house cost $42,000.  A lot has changed since the Audrey Robbins Humanitarian Awards began in 1975, but the opportunity to help support Howard County’s human services organizations through the county’s premiere humanitarian awards event has not.  The Audrey Robbins Humanitarian Awards, presented for 37 years by the Association of Community Services (ACS), have recognized Howard County’s citizens and organizations whose efforts address critical community needs but who often go unrecognized.

In 2012 the 37th Audrey Robbins Humanitarian Awards Luncheon will kick off ACS’ 50th Anniversary celebration.  As a result Audrey Robbins sponsors will receive extra visibility and recognition within the human services community and throughout Howard County.  More than 300 people are expected to attend the awards luncheon, which this year is on June 20.  Thousands will see the ads, see sponsors on the ACS website and in the ACS newsletter numerous times, and find stories published in print and online media including social media such as Facebook. Segments on each of the awardees including sponsors will also posted on YouTube.   

Sponsorships range from $5000 to $100 and have different benefits.  Ande Kolp, Chair of the Audrey Robbins Committee noted: “Our theme this year for nominations is ‘You Definitely Know Someone.’ We feel that ‘everyone knows someone’ who made a difference in their life, or who goes that extra mile to make a difference in the lives of our fellow community members.  The opportunity to nominate that special person for this prestigious award is open to everyone and sponsorships offer an opportunity for businesses and individuals to say ‘We Definitely support Howard County’s human services community.’”

More than 75 people have been honored since the Audrey Robbins Humanitarian Awards were created. The luncheon is the primary vehicle through which ACS raises funds to provide services to the human services community. The awards are named after Audrey Robbins, a former director of the Department of Social Services. Sponsors already include Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett & Scherr LLP, Redhead Companies, and Towne Group.

Joan Driessen, ACS Acting Executive Director added “This support is particularly important as ACS’ members struggle to address increasing demands on their services and have fewer and fewer funds to obtain the training, education, advocacy and networking opportunities critical to high levels of service and operational efficiency.  ACS is dedicated to being the local resource for high quality and affordable professional development opportunities.”

Companies or organizations are also encouraged to nominate someone for the Audrey Robbins Humanitarian Awards. Nominations are due April 27, 2012. Nomination forms can be found online at www.acshoco.org.

May 14 is the sponsorship deadline to be included in the Audrey Robbins materials. A copy of the sponsorship form and benefits is at www.acshoco.org. For questions contact Maureen Heim at 410-715-9545, or Maureen.heim@acshoco.org. ACS, founded in 1963, develops, supports, and promotes the Howard County human services community with education and training, advocacy, and community connections. ##