Hearts & Homes for Youth Gala

This past Thursday, at The Fillmore in downtown Silver Spring, MD, guests in black tie attire attended the annual Hearts and Homes for Youth Honors gala in support of the organization’s almost 50 years of providing support to at risk youths in Montgomery County, MD.

Bold faced attendees included the evening’s Honorary Chair of Honors, Catherine Leggett, First Lady of Montgomery County, Mast of Ceremonies Leon Harris, Award winning ABC/7 WJLA-TV journalist and hosts Rex Smith, Founder, President & CEO, Hearts & Homes for Youth and Thomas Ransom, Chairman of the Board, Hearts & Homes for Youth.

The evening honored Tamara Darvish, VP of Darcars, Inc. as presented by U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, and Kathryn Turner, Founder, President/CEO, Standard Technologies as presented by Councilwoman, Valerie Ervin.

A special tribute was presented to Jan Goldstein, in the form of the annual Avis Birely award, by Vic Seested, grandson to Avis Birely – the first Chairwoman of the Montgomery County Council – whose original grant to the Hearts and Homes organization in the 1960s spurred its inception. Seested’s parents, Victor and Nola, were in attendance and watched on as their family legacy of support passed on to the next generation.

“My family’s support of Hearts and Homes for Youth has spanned over three generations and counting,” said Vic Seested, Presenter of the Avis Birely Award. “Each year we honor her vision and belief in the changes Hearts and Homes could bring to our community and celebrate the lives of so many individuals who may not have had anywhere else to turn without this organization.

Additional awards were given as follows:

·         President’s Awards – Jennifer Barmon

·         Chairman’s Award – Susan & Larry Davis

·         Shirley Ray Foster Parent Award – Kenneth & Carolyn Bartee

Guests enjoyed a three-course seated meal, a silent auction of covetable items and a special performance by Kasey Staniszewski, Miss Maryland USA 2013.