The Johns Hopkins Institutions received special recognition last week during a campaign celebration lauding the efforts of hundreds of United Way of Central Maryland volunteers and fund-raisers.

Jim Neal, director of the MSE Library, APL director Gary Smith and Judy Reitz, senior vice president of operations for The John Hopkins Hospital, accepted the award, given to organizations whose employees raised more than $1 million. The three coordinated this year's Hopkins campaign, which contributed to the most successful campaign in Maryland's history. The campaign-wide total of more than $39.1 million is a 5 percent increase over last year.

Left to right: Gary Smith, APL director; Judy Reitz, senior vice president of operations for The Johns Hopkins Hospital; and Jim Neal, MSEL director, were on hand to represent Hopkins at the Baltimore Convention Center to celebrate United Way efforts.

Amy Juskowitz, a communications specialist for Hopkins Hospital who served as a loaned executive during the campaign, spoke for the 70 professionals who accepted the temporary positions of fund-raisers. She first thanked all the employers who allowed the loaned executives the time to devote their energies to the United Way and to gain "some tremendous learning experiences, professionally and personally.

Amy Juskowitz, a loaned executive for the United Way from Johns Hopkins Hospital, rallies the crowd with the help of Richard Burton of the Combined Charity Campaign.

"I will walk away from this campaign a different person," Juskowitz said. "What has touched our hearts will stay with us long after the campaign ends." Hilary Sporney of the Bayview Medical Center also served as a loaned executive this year.

Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend praised the group of about 600 gathered at the Baltimore Convention Center for their efforts.

"[Ultimately] we will be judged not by the goods we have but by the good we've done together," she said. "You have set an example of what it is to be a good citizen."

Left: MSEL director Jim Neal, right, accepts a plaque and tree from United Way executives in recognition of JHU's exceptional participation in this year's campaign. The tree, dedicated to the Hopkins institutions, will be planted at one of the many United Way agencies.

Hopkins Institutions also had 420 leadership contributors, which accounted for the highest number of individuals who pledged gifts of $1,000 or more to the campaign.