2020 Harford County Photo Gallery of Honor & Resource Guide

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

When the pandemic cancelled Harford County’s annual veteran’s resource fair, it was replaced by a program that connected more veterans to resources than all prior resource fairs combined. It also gave veterans an opportunity to lift up each other, gave families a way to celebrate their local heroes, and gave community members a chance to thank local veterans for their service.This two-part program started with the Veterans Photo Gallery of Honor. Local veterans’ photos and details about their military service were solicited from the community and posted on the county website and social media. Part two was on Veterans Day, when a comprehensive Harford County Veteran’s Resource Guide was delivered to households via the local newspaper and posted on the county website. In-person resource fairs had been held every November for four years prior to 2020. Together, they served a total of 800 veterans. In comparison, the 2020 resource guide, funded in part with money budgeted for the fair, was distributed to 13,700 recipients. In addition, the Photo Gallery of Honor reached 213,199 via Facebook. The photo gallery also generated immeasurable pride and good will toward those who served our nation.