Baltimore Mayor honors 13 winners of 2014 Business Recognition Awards

BALTIMORE, Dec. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thirteen Baltimore companies were honored by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake today as winners of the 2014 Mayor's Business Recognition Awards for outstanding community service.

In presenting awards for business leadership, commitment to community and dedication to improving the quality of life in Baltimore City during luncheon ceremonies at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore, Mayor Rawlings-Blake praised award recipients as examples of local businesses "that have gone above and beyond to support our city."

"We are so blessed to have partners like you," Rawlings-Blake said.  "I can't thank you enough for your leadership and your continued investment in Baltimore."

The annual awards event is presented by the Mayor's Office, the Greater Baltimore Committee and the Baltimore Development Corporation.

The 2014 Mayor's Business Recognition Award winners are:

aMuse Toys, for equipping Kennedy Krieger Institute's Center for Autism and Related Disorders with toys. In addition, aMuse launched a social media campaign to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders.

BGE, for its employee participation in workplace giving and service hours to benefit the United Way of Central Maryland. During the 2013 United Way campaign, BGE employees volunteered more than 5,000 hours to nonprofit organizations throughout the region.

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, for its company-wide commitment to partnerships that improve health, education and self-esteem, which is illustrated by its collaboration with City Spring Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore.

EY, for its annual day of service that benefited Bragg Nature Center, Port Discovery, the Cool Kids Campaign, and Parks and People Foundation's neighborhood beautification, helped the Y of Central Maryland build a lending library for Head Start and promoted student leadership at the Living Classrooms Foundation.

M&T Bank, for its partnership with Westport Academy that, along with The Family Tree, the Maryland Bankers Association and the Baltimore Ravens, launched a pilot family game night to promote families spending at least 15 minutes each day in a recreation activity. Partnering with the Ravens, M&T Bank also launched "Touchdown for Teachers" to recognize outstanding educators.

MECU, for its partnership with the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts – the MECU Neighborhood Events Grants programs. The initiative is helping hundreds of organizations throughout the city celebrate their neighborhoods.

MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, for its Project SEARCH partnership with The Arc Baltimore that provides a unique model of skill building and employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Morstein's Jewelers, Inc., for owner Sonny Morstein's support of the Federal Hill community over the years. Morstein is a founder of the nonprofit Federal Hill Main Street, Inc. and a major supporter of the South Baltimore Learning Center, which works to improve the self-sufficiency of educationally disadvantaged adults in Baltimore.

PNC Bank, for its "Growing Up Great" initiative that supports enrichment programs for families to enhance learning and development and prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.

Saul Ewing LLP, for its commitment to helping families in need, mentoring high school students in city public schools through the Community Law in Action program and promoting a clean harbor through Blue Water Baltimore.

SC&H, for its annual day of service when employees volunteer at nonprofit organizations including The Samaritan Women, Luna's House, Moveable Feast, Baltimore Station and The Franciscan Center. SC&H Employees average more than 25 hours each per year in volunteer community service activities.

Team Triumphant, Inc., for responding to community requests by partnering with Abbottston Elementary School and The Family League's Summer Learning Program to increase student learning and family engagement during the summer.

Wells Fargo, for its continued investment in the Pennsylvania Avenue/Upton community that included converting a vacant lot into a community garden for neighbors to plant fruits and vegetables and for its support of the Home for Good campaign, an effort to end homelessness.

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SOURCE Greater Baltimore Committee