"Hondo" Receives State Award

OCEAN CITY- Ocean City's own Albin 'Hondo' Handy last week received one of the Maryland Recreation and Parks Department's most prestigious awards, the Citation Award, at the organization's annual conference at the Clarion Hotel.

During the awards ceremony last Thursday, Handy was honored with the state department's Citation Award, which is given each year to a recreation professional that has demonstrated significant and exemplary service to the field of parks and recreation. 'Hondo,' as most people in Ocean City and all over the Eastern Shore know him, has been with the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department for over 27 years.

After starting in the Parks Department, Handy moved to the Recreation Division and has been a Recreation Supervisor ever since. He has run almost every program the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department has to offer over the years and started many of the programs offered today.

Handy is very active in the state as well as nationwide as a member of MRPA, NRPA, and is currently on the board of the National Association of Youth Sports.  He was one of the original members of Ocean City's Play it Safe Committee and is still very active in the program. 

'I can't think of anyone more deserving of this award' said Kate Gaddis, Recreation Superintendent at Ocean City Recreation and Parks.  'Hondo has dedicated his life to the youth of Ocean City and Worcester County and I am so pleased to see him receive this honor.'