Come Sunday, September 23, we have the opportunity to honor two extraordinary people who have put the welfare of Montgomery County ahead of themselves. I hope you will join me at The Music Center at Strathmore for the Leggett Legacy Forward Celebration.

All that we do through our Faith Community, Neighbors in Need and Religious Land Use Working Groups would not be possible without Ike Leggett. He is a man of faith who sees the divine image in every person, and has worked hard at creating a county where every basic human need is met and every human right respected. Thanks to his leadership in building respect and trust across lines of difference, we celebrate our diversity rather than facing the polarization that is prevalent elsewhere.

Our First Lady, Catherine Leggett, has done more for community based nonprofits serving our neighbors in need than anyone else. When we see her name as an Honorary Chair of a gala or anniversary fundraising event, it means she has actually chaired the planning committee. She has quietly and effectively raised millions of dollars supporting a wide spectrum of human services. How she has done it with such grace and skill while holding a full-time private sector job amazes me.

Here is what we can do within the faith community to celebrate this magnificent couple’s 28 years of service, and to keep their legacy alive. We can promote the Leggett Legacy forward event that is free and encourages contributions to the The Ike and Catherine Leggett Scholarship. It will benefit the county’s historically underrepresented students in higher education, through the Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) program. The ACES program, a partnership among Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College, and the Universities at Shady Grove, is free and provides access to individualized academic coaching, career readiness, and scholarship opportunities. Honoring them in this way encourages and empowers a new generation of leaders.

You will note the Friendship Picnic is the same day and we are moving the time up for people to enjoy both events. Both are free, but you need to reserve a ticket for the Leggett Legacy forward that is done by going to The Music Center at Strathmore website.