Special Olympics Maryland has announced that Baltimore native Ray Daue '66 has been selected as the recipient of the inaugural “Heart of the Cup” Volunteer of the Year Award, which will be presented officially at a May 25 fundraising dinner featuring golfing legend Arnold Palmer and famed broadcaster Jim Nantz. The event, titled The 19th Hole: An Intimate Evening with Arnold Palmer and Jim Nantz is intended as a celebration of not only two legendary sports figures in Palmer and Nantz, but also the incredible impact the sport of golf has had on the community and the difference it has made for non-profits. In one of the highlights of the program, Ray's legacy will be highlighted and celebrated ending with the presentation of the physical award by Mr. Palmer.

Senior Vice President, Willis of Maryland; Ray has been doing charity work, with golf as the medium, for 34 years – nearly as long as he’s been playing the game. In that time, it is estimated that he has helped to raise an incredible $10 million collectively for a variety of non-profits.

His very first leadership role came in 1977 when he volunteered to chair an event benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Since then, he has helped run golf events and auctions as fundraisers for the Arthritis Foundation, Believe in Tomorrow, Calvert Hall, Catholic Charities, Dyslexia Tutoring, First Tee of Baltimore, Habitat for Humanity, Institute of Notre Dame, Lupus Foundation, Maryland Food Bank, Pediatric Oncology, Save-A-Heart and Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) Foundation, among others.