Press Release
For Immediate Release
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Michael R. Smith Recognized for Exceptional Community Service
United Way of Central Maryland presents Philip H. Van Gelder Award annually to AFL-CIO member
BALTIMORE, MD (January 20, 2012) – United Way of Central Maryland presented Michael (Mike) R. Smith, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, with its Philip H. Van Gelder Award for unwavering commitment to the community and improving the quality of lives around him.
Each year, the Philip H. Van Gelder Award is given to a member of the labor community who embodies the spirit of United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM) through volunteering and community service.
Mr. Smith began his career in 1969 with the United States Postal Service (USPS) as a letter carrier and has served as a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) for the last 40 years. He is now serving his fourth term as president of the NALC Oriole Branch 176 in Baltimore and has served as the Financial Secretary-Treasurer for the Metropolitan Baltimore Council AFL-CIO since 2007.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Smith is dedicated to improving his local community and neighbors. A member of Community Services of Central Maryland’s Board of Directors, he leads food, toy and financial drives. In his Cherry Hill neighborhood, he serves as a youth basketball coach, encouraging team spirit and family involvement. He is a passionate advocate for those without access to food and chairs the annual NALC National Food Drive in Baltimore and participates in the USPS’s annual Harvest for the Hungry Food Drive. Additionally, Mr. Smith supports the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), and directs Baltimore’s annual NALC Fill-the-Satchel Drive and annual Bowl-A-Thon, both to benefit MDA.
UWCM President and CEO Mark Furst presented Mr. Smith with the award on January 12, 2012 at the Baltimore Metropolitan Council AFL-CIO Unions Leadership Conference in Atlantic City.
UWCM’s mission is to mobilize the community to improve people’s lives. By encouraging people to give, advocate and volunteer, UWCM helps the community’s most vulnerable meet their basic needs so they are able to get out of crisis, stay out of crisis and achieve self-sufficiency.
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About UWCM
For 87 years, United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM) has been the region’s human service leader, encouraging all central Marylanders to give, advocate or volunteer.
Its mission is to mobilize the community to improve people’s lives. UWCM is dedicated to helping individuals and families who are vulnerable and at risk meet their emergency needs, stabilize their lives and ultimately achieve a better quality of life. By drawing upon local knowledge, data and expertise to understand the community’s needs, UWCM is able to identify where gaps exist and concentrate on what works in addressing them, serving as a powerful advocate on critical health and human issues.
UWCM supports programs and initiatives in the city of Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties.
