5 MD Local Heroes Show Community Spirit, Selflessness, Compassion

MARYLAND — In times of hardship, the stalwarts and natural humanitarians often come out of the woodwork.

Many Maryland residents have endured immeasurable loss and struggles throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As the state and the rest of the nation continue to heal, heroes of our communities have emerged.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. And we’re working tell the stories of these outstanding people.

Here are five heroes that have been identified by Patch readers that you shouldn’t miss:

1. Nonprofit Worker Gives Sick Kids Stuffed Animals: Edgewater Local Hero

For more than a decade, Jennifer Skolochenko-Platt has served as executive director of UMPS CARE Charities, the official philanthropy of the Major League Baseball Umpires, which is based in Maryland. Jenn coordinates hospital visits for the umpires, including an annual stop at Johns Hopkins Children's Center, where the umpires deliver 100 Build-A-Bears, outfits, baseball-themed activity books and more to sick children.

In addition, UMPS CARE provides VIP visits to the ballpark (including Oriole Park at Camden Yards) for children battling critical illnesses and their families, military veterans who are training to become umpires and teens in under-resourced communities.

Jenn works tirelessly to make sure these programs are run smoothly. The umpires are often noticed when there is a controversial call on the field, but Jenn helps them be seen when they are doing good work in the community.

2. Bel Air Principal Heather Skopak Cited As Local Hero: Here’s Why

Elementary school principal Heather Skopak goes above and beyond for her students, families and staff members every day. "She cares so much about our school community; her leadership has been pivotal during the pandemic and today. I can personally say that the way she brought our school community together during the hardest of times when schools were closed is what got my family through those tough days," wrote the person who nominated Skopak.

"She held virtual spirit events that made kids feel more connected and she made sure to check in on everyone no matter how many hours in a week it took. Now that school is back in session, she has continued to carry us on her shoulders, working tirelessly to meet each family's needs with her primary focus on mental health and helping kids to catch up on skills that they lost during the pandemic. ... Heather Skopak is such a positive and upbeat person. That type of attitude is contagious in the school setting and it is exactly what kids need to see right now."

3. Local Hero: 'Positive Force' Quietly Makes Life Better In Howard Co.

Steve Schwarzman of Ellicott City claims to be retired, but he is everywhere in the community, all of the time, participating in doing whatever needs to be done, said Nancy Louia who nominatedhim.

"He frequently participates in fundraisers for a variety of causes like Horizon Walks where he raised $1,300 solely from people voting for him to cut or not cut his hair! Steve takes care of the landscaping of the entrance to his neighborhood and uses his knowledge of plants to beautify the First Lutheran Church campus. Steve is always available to help out whether it's cleaning up after the Old Ellicott City floods, volunteering for a walk-a-thon or swim-a-thon, helping with Wine in the Woods, or delivering food boxes to those in need.

"Steve is a truly good human who makes every day better when you run into him," Louia added.

4. Local Hero: Mark Babiak Connects With Homeless Individuals In Bethesda

Nick Heynen nominated Mark Babiak for his dedication to his work with unhoused clients in Bethesda.

"The level of dedication Mark has with clients is unbelievable. He should be recognized because of his ability to connect with people at their level, his willingness to take risks with them, and his knowledge of resources for their success," Heynen wrote. "Mark has done this work for many years, and the success he generates is inspiring."

5. Baltimore Local Hero A 'Trailblazer' Leading Fight Against COVID

Damita McDonald nominated Dr. Reem Abdullah of Baltimore, who as a clinical pharmacist for both the Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital Task Force and Mercy Medical Center, uses her expertise to give back to the Baltimore community.

"When the hospital at the Convention Center closed in June 2021, Dr. Abdullah joined the BCCFH's COVID Task Force to continue the ambulatory missions of vaccinating, testing and providing outpatient treatment of COVID-19 infections," MCDonald wrote. "When she wasn’t at Mercy or the Convention Center, Dr. Abdullah would support mass vaccination and testing initiatives across Baltimore, assisting with initiatives organized by CASA Baltimore and volunteering at several churches in the city. Her work today for the task force includes prescribing Paxlovid to newly infected high-risk COVID patients."

• Related: Local Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Folks Making A Difference Across MD

Read more about Maryland's heroes here.