It’s another rainy Saturday morning and Tara Chase’s routine remains unchanged: a warm smile, a bagged lunch, and years of quiet dedication. Tara, a 2024 Summa Cum Laude graduate of North County High School, has served more than 2,000 hours at Happy Helpers for the Homeless, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that delivers necessities directly to the homeless and those in need every weekend including holidays and no matter the weather. 

“The words, ‘above and beyond’, and ‘dedication’, do not do justice to what Tara has accomplished through her humanitarian service,” said Happy Helpers for the Homeless Executive Director Bobbi Coffman. “The service here at Happy Helpers is challenging, encompassing, and deeply meaningful. Nothing deters Tara. She pours her whole being into Happy Helpers.”

Tara is the first to arrive and the last to depart and has made tens of thousands of sandwiches, bag lunches, “Bag-a-Breakfasts,” and toiletry gift bags over the years, said Bobbi. She has recruited many of her peers to serve along with her and leads the bi-weekly food basket preparations for 239 Anne Arundel County children who are in heart-breaking, crisis situations. Tara also sorts massive incoming donations and serves at the organization’s “Freedom Harvest Food Drives,” birthday parties, and Christmas parties for the homeless. Tara actually ran Happy Helpers for the Homeless on two occasions when adult staffing wasn’t available because of emergencies. “This is a big responsibility, requiring many specific, quite detail-oriented tasks,” said Bobbi. “She is always in a leadership role here.”

Tara, a talented musician who plays multiple instruments, often entertains the homeless in freezing temperatures and on Thanksgiving Day each year. “The weather can be brutal, yet we never miss a day because the people are in great need of help. Tara radiates immense positivity and joy at all times,” said Bobbi.

In addition to Happy Helpers for the Homeless, Tara also volunteers with other community nonprofits who work to support people facing hunger—Child Hunger Outreach Partners Maryland (CHOP), Caring Cupboard, Orphan Grain Train, and Food4Thought. During the past two years she has also assisted in her school’s community garden.

Tara is the recipient of the highest award in the nation for volunteerism, the President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold), as well as the Tara Howard Champion of Social Justice Award, the Governor’s Volunteer Service Certificate, and Anne Arundel County Public School’s (AACPS’) inaugural Outstanding Service Dedication Award. 

“Tara has given her heart and soul to ending hunger through her involvement in various service projects,” said Lori Fowler, AACPS Manager of Service Learning.

During high school she was in the STEM magnet program and was involved in multiple extracurricular activities including Envirothon, the AACPS Service Learning Leadership Team, Tri-M (Historian), National Honor Society, German Honor Society (President), Mock Trial, Drama Club, concert band, orchestra, jazz band, and marching band.

“Everyone here is in awe of Tara and her goodness,” said Bobbi. “We rely on her. We treasure her. She brings love, hope, food, and necessities directly to men, women, and children in the streets in Anne Arundel County. She is already a Happy Helpers legend.”

Tara was nominated by the Happy Helpers for the Homeless.

Learn more about Tara at the 24th Annual Celebration of Philanthropy on October 30th.

This award is presented to an individual student or youth group (elementary through college) who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the community through direct financial support, development of charitable programs, volunteering and/or leadership.

Back to Young Volunteer of the Year Award