When The Arc of Howard County decided to create an annual award for compassionate leadership, its longtime benefactor Jim Greenfield, founder of Columbia Builders, was the obvious choice.
"It's really his compassion for people that defines the person that he is," said Kari Ebeling, director of resource development at the Arc. "His leadership and compassion for wanting the best for people is very broad-based in our community. This will be given in subsequent years to people who embody the same characteristics, qualities and contributions that Jim represents."
The Arc of Howard County, an agency that supports children and adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities, will honor Greenfield, 65, tomorrow night at a fundraiser for the organization. The Columbia resident is the first recipient of the new award, which comes in the form of a crystal prism bearing his name.
The honor gives the Arc the opportunity to recognize individual contributions that have spanned years, and Greenfield typifies that kind of giving, Ebeling said.
"He doesn't just talk about doing something," she said. "He leads the way. He was always a doer."
Greenfield's first encounter with the Arc came the day after his son, Markie, was born with Down syndrome in April 1976. The Arc sent a couple who had a child with the condition to provide guidance and support for the family.
"We had no idea what we were dealing with," Greenfield said. "The next day, there was this real-life couple sitting with us telling us the real thing. They're there for you all the time. They do a tremendous job of bringing you into that community and assimilating you into the world you've stepped into. It's there to add some normalcy into this not-normal situation."
Although Markie never was able to talk, he rode everywhere in his father's truck as Greenfield toured properties and traveled throughout the community. Markie died in January 2001, his father said.
Greenfield has two adult children and three daughters ages 3, 5 and 7.
As a builder, Greenfield bought land and subdivided it to build a specialized group home in Ellicott City for his son and two others about eight years ago. He is working on another house, in Oakland Mills, that will house four clients who need round-the-clock medical care and the staff to care for them.
Columbia Builders will supply the development expertise, trucks and manpower at cost. Subcontractors also will do their work at cost, he said. Greenfield hopes to complete that project this fall.
