Harford Mutual Home Runs for the Homeless Event Raises $20,000 to Help Homeless Families in Harford County

From Harford Family House:

On August 14th, Harford Family House hosted its 4th Annual Home Runs for the Homeless event at Ripken Stadium. The event began with Mayor Michael Bennett of Aberdeen throwing out the first pitch which was caught by HFH’s Board Chairman, Scott Elliott.

Twenty -two teams representing various individuals, businesses and corporations from Harford County and beyond played in the tournament. The winning team was Maryland Mutual Mortgage, LLC staffed by Matt Gianni, Cody Holliday, Ryan Ferrell and Shawn Retz. They earned a score of 1,870 points and hit 9 home runs between the team members. A team sponsored by Tim Funk came in second, and team SAIC took third place. Five home runs were hit by the individual batting champion, “BJ” Bernardo Alaimo, an employee of Harford Mutual Insurance. Maryland Mutual Mortgage, LLC will receive the coveted “bat” trophy which will remain at their business location until next year’s tournament. BJ will receive the Silver Slugger trophy award.

Scott Elliott of Peoples Bank was the Home Runs event Committee Chairman and Brian Walker, Chad Tate, Brent Slutzky, Brian Smith, Steve Zinner, Ed Coogan, Scott Hunsinger, Colleen McDonough, Carrie Shapiro and Joyce Duffy were committee members.

Harford Mutual was the “event sponsor” and Peoples Bank, Innovative Insurance Solutions, Harford Financial Group, PNC Bank, Susquehanna Bank, Jones Junction, Red Brick Station/Tony Meoli, Saxon’s Jeweler’s – Aberdeen, Bob’s Discount Furniture, CIMA Companies, Signs by Tomorrow – Aberdeen, Point Breeze Credit Union, Harford Bank, McCon Engineering, Aberdeen Greene Turtle, All Access Fitness, Architectural Design Works, Barks & Blooms, Bay State Land Services, Buffalo Wild Wings, Bob Dael, Doug Hinkle’s Automotive, First Nutrition in Bel Air, JayZees Pool & Spa Supplies, The Silver Buckle and Silver & Sassy and Slavie Federal Savings Bank all supported the event through sponsorships at various levels.

Thanks to the many sponsors and teams who participated in the tournament, the event netted in excess of $20,000, making it the most successful Home Runs even to-date.

Harford Family House is an emergency and transitional shelter for homeless families with children, located in Aberdeen, MD. They provide housing, case management and support services to offer a hand up, not a hand out to homeless families in Harford County. Last year HFH served 44 families consisting of 143 individuals 88 of which were children, and had an 81% success rate in transitioning families from homelessness and hopelessness to self-sufficiency and permanent stable housing.

L-R, Mayor Michael Bennett, Joyce Duffy, Executive Director HFH, Scott Elliott HFH’s Board Chairman and Home Runs event chairman holding “first pitch” ball.

Winning Team – Maryland Mutual Mortgage, LLC. L-R, Cody Holliday, Matt Gianni, Ryan Farrell, Shawn Retz and in the middle Mike Hughes in orange.

Mrs. Maryland USA, Laurena Bell BJ Bernardo Alaimo and Scott Elliott

Photography by Leana Stewart of Smiles from Heaven