Annual Harford County Humanitarian Awards Breakfast Set for January 19; Honoring Civil Rights Leaders Martin Luther King, Jr. and Joseph Bond

From Harford County government:

On Thursday, January 19, 2012, the Harford County Department of Community Services and the Human Relations Commission will sponsor the annual Joseph Bond/Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Awards Breakfast to celebrate the memory and service of local civil rights leader Joseph Bond and internationally renowned Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The breakfast will be held at 8:00 a.m. at the Chesapeake Center Dining Hall at Harford Community College, 401 Thomas Run Road in Bel Air.

This year’s guest speaker will be Judge Angela M. Eaves, Associate Judge of the Harford County Circuit Court, where she is the first African American to serve in this capacity. Judge Eaves served as an Associate Judge of the Harford County District Court, where she was the second woman and first African American appointed to the position. Judge Eaves has worked tirelessly in the County since 1990 setting legal precedents in child-support appeal cases during her tenure as Assistant Attorney General and promoting the importance of community service. Judge Eaves has spoken at many events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spreading her message that Dr. King’s dream can become reality if we all take individual strides to combat prejudices in our workplaces, schools, homes, and communities.

The 2012 national focus is Dr. King’s statement, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” The hour-long breakfast, which includes words of encouragement and inspiration, musical talents of area students, and a meal, serves as the backdrop for honoring local unsung heroes and to charge attendees to become more involved in community service.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service: “a day on, not a day off.” Countless Americans of varying ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities plan to join together to complete numerous community service projects.

Tickets for the Humanitarian Awards Breakfast are $10 each ($5 for seniors 55 and over). Seating is limited. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please call the Human Relations Commission at 410-638-4739.