Published: November 27, 2007 11:51 am      

Daily Points of Light Foundation honors Brian Grim

CUMBERLAND - Today is being recognized nationally as a day to acknowledge the service and civic participation of Cumberland resident Brian Grim by the Daily Points of Light Foundation.

Given each weekday, the Daily Points of Light Award honors an individual or organization that is making a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Originally instituted during the administration of former President George Bush, the program continues under the current President Bush.

Grim was selected for the national, presidential award as a result of his civic participation and community service. He has been a volunteer at Rocky Gap State Park for more than 15 years and has amassed more than 7,000 hours worth of volunteer service at the park. He has historically been active with the Tri-State Concert Association, clothing drives, flood relief, church dinners and Toys for Happiness, counting for several hundred more service hours.

He remains an active participant in the Let's Beautify Cumberland! program, the annual United Way Day of Caring and Sharing, and neighborhood organizations such as the Chapel Hill West and Rolling Mill Associations.

Grim also serves as vice chair of the Western Potomac Chapter of the American Red Cross, having been a co-chair of the Heroes fundraising campaign and a regular volunteer at the Mountain Reflections Christmas light display fundraiser.

"It's an honor to be recognized like this," Grim said. "But the recognition isn't why I volunteer. That's not why anybody volunteers. I just want to make a difference and that's what I'm doing with my free time. I'm giving back to my community."

Within the past few months, he has been recognized by Gov. Martin O'Malley and Speaker of the House Michael Busch with citations for community service.

Grim will be recognized with letters from former President Bush as well as President George W. Bush and an award certificate.

He works at Rocky Gap State Park. "This is where I was born and raised. And what better place to work to make a difference than right here in my own back yard," he said.

More information on the Daily Points of Light Award can be found at www.pointsoflight.org.