FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Holiday Initiative Reflects Agency Commitment to Service and Community  

BALTIMORE, MD (December 24, 2025) – In the spirit of giving and community service, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Police are proud to continue their participation Tuesday December 23 in the annual holiday “Adopt a Family” initiative, a tradition that began in 2003 and has supported local families in need for more than two decades. This year, MTA Police staff are once again stepping up to help local families. Today, agency officers received a helping hand from Santa and Mrs. Claus in delivering a complete holiday meal and gifts and essential items to families from The Historic Samuel Coleridge Taylor Elementary School in Baltimore City. 

“For more than 20 years, our officers have made the holidays brighter for local families,” said Police Chief Jerome Howard. “It’s a proud tradition that reflects our commitment to supporting the communities we serve.” 

Each year Police officers donate their time and resources to contribute to the program.  Since its inception, the Adopt-A-Family program has provided support for more than 250 families from local schools. In addition to the Adopt-a-Family initiative, MTA Police employees support the Polar Bear Plunge and Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics of Maryland, National Night Out and a back-to-school supply drive.                                                                    

The  Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States, operating systems that include Local Bus, Commuter Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train Service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit network. Our goal is to provide safe, efficient, and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland, Instagram at MTA Maryland and follow us on X @mtamaryland and bluesky@mta.maryland.gov.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Courtney Mims
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 667-392-0157
cmims@mdot.maryland.gov

Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell:  443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov