Following a moment of silence for past City Manager James Giese and other past Outstanding Citizens who are no longer with us, Outstanding Citizen Committee Chair Robert Zugby drew out the suspense as long as possible before he introduced this year’s Outstanding Citizen.
“One of the important characteristics of all our outstanding citizens is their role as exemplars for the rest of us ‒ that we may be inspired to follow in their footsteps. Indeed, regarding this year’s Outstanding Citizen, many of us have already been doing that,” Zugby said, referring to his many accomplishments.
“Welcome to my worst nightmare,” Goldberg-Strassler said when he got up to speak. In an interview he explained that as an introvert he doesn’t like public speaking, and there he was, speaking to hundreds. That they were friends and neighbors didn’t make it any easier.
For not being comfortable speaking publicly, Goldberg-Strassler’s talk was inspirational. He read a thought-provoking statement from Amma, the Hugging Saint, which he carries with him on an index card.
“May the tree of our lives be rooted in the soil of love, may good deeds be the leaves, kind words be the flowers and peace be the fruit. May the world flourish as one family, united in love. May we thus be able to create a world in which peace and contentment prevail.”
Goldberg-Strassler said, “Kindness is a verb, and it’s relevant. Everyone can figure their own ways to do it.”
Goldberg-Strassler listed several organizations and
individuals that have inspired him. These include The SPACE Free Art for All, CHEARS and now Save BARC along with the late individuals Councilmember Ric Gordon, Kap Kapistan of Beltway Plaza owner Quantum Corporation and Michael Repole of Three Brothers restaurant.
At the end of his speech he led the audience in a sing-along of We Shall Overcome.
Mayor Emmett Jordan read a proclamation from the city that said, in part, “Robert Goldberg-Strassler is devoted to uplifting the community and safeguarding the essence that makes Greenbelt a truly exceptional place to call home.”
Attending the Opening Ceremonies were Maryland Legislative District 22 Delegation Senator Alonzo Washington and Delegates Anne Healey, Nicole Williams and Ashanti Martinez and Prince George’s County District 4 Councilmember Ingrid Watson. Washington and Watson each presented a proclamation.
Goldberg-Strassler has volunteered in many areas of the community, benefitting residents of all ages. He founded Random Unselfish Acts of Kindness (RUAK) in 2017.
In 2019 RUAK began sponsoring the HUG Walks (Help Unite Greenbelt With A Little Kindness). The RUAK website says, “[C]onceived as an antidote to the ongoing divisiveness and frayed social fabric being experienced in our country,” HUG Walks allow “a public demonstration of unity and community strength,” needed even more now than at its founding.
Environment
Goldberg-Strassler created the Greenbelt Ploggers, who jog or walk while picking up litter.
He volunteered at a stream cleanup project for Springhill Lake Elementary third and fourth graders this spring.
Education and Literacy
RUAK’s Uplift Literacy program distributes books to children throughout Greenbelt. In October 2022 they began the bilingual Pre-K Story Hour at the Springhill Lake Recreation Center for children ages newborn to 5. RUAK was given the Jim Cassels Award in 2023 and used the money to support the story hour.
He used his volunteer time at Cookies on the Bridge to publicize, and encourage students to participate in, Learn 2 Earn, a youth workforce development program.
Food Insecurity
Goldberg-Strassler created the Flavors of Greenbelt Restaurant Week in 2022 to support local restaurants.
Greenbelt PORCH, built around the idea of a neighborhood food drive, is an all-
volunteer hunger relief program that supplements the St. Hugh of Grenoble Church’s Food Pantry. Each participating neighborhood and GHI court has a coordinator. PAL – PORCH At Large ‒ was added later for Greenbelters who are interested in PORCH but lack a coordinator for their court or neighborhood.
As the city proclamation says, “Robert has embraced leadership roles with passion, serving as president and social action chair of the Mishkan Torah Congregation” and volunteering at Greenbelt’s monthly food distributions, the Red Cross and the National Park Service as a youth sports coach and event organizer. What’s listed here probably misses some of his contributions to Greenbelt.
At the reception for Goldberg-Strassler and past Outstanding Citizens held in the municipal building after the award ceremony, Councilmember Kristen Weaver said, “Among your many skills you create great acronyms.”
Sponsors, Supporters
The Outstanding Citizens are supported by the primary sponsor, the Rotary Club of Greenbelt and co-sponsors Fieldstone Properties (Franklin Park’s owner), CHEARS, The Space Free Art for All, Greenbelt Exxon, Greenway Liquors and Sunrise Caribbean Restaurant.
Goldberg-Strassler received a gift basket including gift certificates from Generous Joe’s, Greenbelt Barber and Stylist, Jersey Mike’s Subs, New Deal Café, Silver Diner, Three Brothers Restaurant and Wood’s Flowers and Gifts. Greenbelt Nursery School contributed one of its official Greenbelt Is Great T-shirts and Greenway Liquors donated two bottles of wine. Zugby said, “We thank these local merchants and urge all to join us in giving them our support.”
Everyone is encouraged to nominate someone whose volunteer efforts have benefitted Greenbelt. If you have nominated someone in the past who has not won, nominate them again. Many Outstanding Citizens were nominated several times before earning the acclaim of the award.
Michael Hartman contributed to the preparation of this article.
