David Greenberg, an Ellicott City resident and president of the breast cancer fundraising event Ride Across Maryland, was named Howard County Volunteer of the Year at a ceremony Tuesday night.

The motorcycle ride has raised more than $2 million, making it the largest third-party fundraiser in the country for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization that fights breast cancer.

"I know you all deserve equal the praise and thanks from the people you support'" he said of the other nominees, who he said, like him, understand what it's like to work for a nonprofit or charity "you hold close to your heart."

Volunteer of the Year Program Coordinator Kathleen Sloan-Beard said Greenberg had been involved with the ride since it was founded - and some weeks, put in 40 to 60 hours of work. The next ride is scheduled for June 4, 5 and 6, and starts at the mall in Columbia, Greenberg said.

"He works with vendors, sponsors, and keeps his volunteers motivated and coming back year after year," Sloan-Beard said. "And, in spite of an economy that has taken its toll on many charitable organizations, he just rolled up his sleeves even further and spent extra time ensuring that donations increased."

The awards were presented at the newly renovated George Howard Building by Howard County Executive Ken Ulman.

"We have great citizens," he said. "They give of themselves and their talents. ... There's lots of other options, but you've chosen to give back to the community and make it a better place."

Other winners announced Tuesday night include:

The late Teddy Betts, from Ellicott City, won the Howard County Unsung Hero award. He was honored -  in an award accepted by his daughter Jacqui Betts - for his volunteerism at the Patapsco Valley & Heritage Greenway. He lifted trash and cleaned junk out of the riverbed, and his colleagues called him the "Patapsco Protector." He recycled some of the things he found and created walking sticks, signs out of driftwood and rock sculptures.

Jacob Krause, from Clarksville, won the Volunteer Youth of the Year Award. Krause, who was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease last year at the age of 9, created a basketball free throw event called Shoot Out for IBD to raise money for the disease.

The National Family Resiliency Center, Inc., based in Columbia, was named the Nonprofit Organization of the Year.  The organization helps families adjust to loss or change because of separation, divorce or remarriage.

W.R. Grace & Co., with an office location in Columbia, was named Business of the Year. It was recognized for its efforts to support employees who volunteer. Sloan-Beard said employees there have served as science fair judges, planned fundraising events, hosted blood drives and more.

Virginia Dorey Pausch received the Lifetime Achievement Award. For the last 18 years, the former Howard County teacher has spent about 2,500 hours running a Writer in Residence Program that brought writers and poets into classrooms.