Ocean City's Al 'Hondo' Handy earns Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award

Meet author, humanitarian and hero, Al "Hondo" Handy.

The 71-year-old, hailing from Berlin, Maryland, was recently awarded one of the nation’s highest civilian honors: The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors those who have completed 4,000 or more volunteer service hours within their lifetime.

Hondo was nominated by Dr. Khalila Camacho Ali, the former wife and mother of four children to boxer Muhammad Ali, and was presented the award by celebrity bodyguard and fellow Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award winner Adriano "Bubba" Almony.

"Many people have received bronze, silver and gold levels of the volunteer service, but very few Americans have ever received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award," Almony said of the special honor.

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Who is Al "Hondo" Handy?

Hondo, a two-time Citizen of the Year in Ocean City, Maryland, and recipient of two Keys to the City from Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, has greatly impacted youth throughout his life and touched the lives of countless individuals.

"It was an honor to receive (the award)," Hondo said.

The Eastern Shore native currently serves with 11 different community foundations. He retired as the Recreation Manager from the Town of Ocean City's Recreation & Parks Department after 39-years and three months on the job.

"As I started to grow up, I realized that a lot of people think success comes from where you grew up and what you have," said Hondo, adding how that is not always the case.

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An integration pioneer at Stephen Decatur High School

Hondo went to Flower Street School, an all-Black elementary school which no longer exists today. Following their time at Flower Street School, students would move on to Worcester High School.

Hondo, however, continued his education elsewhere.

Prior to the start of sixth grade, he was presented with the opportunity to attend Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin. He became one of the first six African American students to do so.

As he grew up, Hondo took a liking to the competitive sport of basketball, so much so that, together, he and his friends would create "dirt courts" on which to play.

"We would literally go into the woods, chop down a tree, bring that tree back, nail a board to it, nail a rim to it, dig a hole deep enough so that when we shot a basket, it didn't come falling down on our heads," he said with a laugh.

"Basketball was my main game," he added. "I fell in love with the sport."

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A Maryland state champ who turns to basketball throughout life

Hondo, who was teased for being too short, wanted to prove his peers wrong by succeeding at the sport.

In 11th grade, he became the starting guard at Stephen Decatur High School and went on to win the MPSSAA Basketball State Championship alongside the rest of the 1970 men’s varsity basketball team. Fifty-four years later, and it has yet to be won by a Decatur squad again.

"We always get together and reminisce about the old times," he said of his teammates.

Hondo carried his love for youth sports through adulthood.

He organized a program called the Play It Safe Project for thousands of high school graduates who visited Ocean City during the summer. The program provided fun, safe alternatives for youth for three decades before coming to a close in 2022.

"If you don't have something for the kids to do, they'll find something. And a lot of the time, it's the wrong thing," he said.

Hondo later became an author, and proudly published his first book titled, Defying Expectations: Family, Sports & Recreation, in 2022. Since then, the book has reached a total of 32 states and 13 countries. His book has allowed him to continue to promote good sportsmanship and connect with even more youth across the globe.

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Former wife of Muhammad Ali is a big 'Hondo' supporter

Dr. Khalila Camacho Ali is thrilled for her friend Hondo's most recent accomplishment.

"I said, man, it's time for (Hondo) to get an award like this because he deserves it. It's long overdue for this guy," Dr. Khalila Camacho Ali said. "He's done so much for our community. He's a great humanitarian. He's a great person and has a loving soul. I'm so happy for him."

"I'm totally supportive of him," she added. "He's a real superhero."

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Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: 'Superhero' Al "Hondo" Handy of Ocean City wins top presidential award