Local Hero: 'Positive Force' Quietly Makes Life Better In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Nancy Louia who nominated Steve Schwarzman of Ellicott City.

Local hero’s full name

Steve Schwarzman

Local hero’s home state

Maryland

Local hero’s Patch

Ellicott City

How do you know the local hero?

Steve and I attend the same church and work together on various projects.

What does the local hero do?

Steve claims to be retired, but he is everywhere in the community, all of the time, participating in doing whatever needs to be done. 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.

Why do you believe the local hero should be recognized or honored?

Steve is such a positive force in our community. He is never without a smile, and he uses photography to bring people together. It is exhausting to look at his Facebook page documented with his involvement in a million volunteer activities. Steve is a great planner and brings creative ideas to fellowship events from community picnics to Trunk or Treat. He is such a loyal supporter of Old Ellicott City that you would be challenged to find anyone who doesn't know him and adore him. He is well known among Baltimore team fans and Ravens cheerleaders because his enthusiasm is contagious!

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the local hero?

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

Thank you for all you do, Steve Schwarzman!

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Know someone making a difference in town?

Nominate them here.