The Difference: A Shoe, a Kickball, and a Little Extra Effort and Reach
- Media Communications
- Oct 24
- 2 min read
Date: October 23, 2025
Location: Harford County, MD
The Story:
Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.
During recess at a local faith-based school, School Resource Officer (SRO) B. Hare, a retired Maryland State Trooper and veteran U.S Marine, enjoys watching the students play kickball. He’s noticed how often the kids come together as a team, using creativity and cooperation to solve problems on their own, especially when the ball ends up in a tree.
| “At first, I’d start to step in,” Hare said, “but I realized they were figuring it out together. They didn’t need me, they had teamwork.”
But on this particular afternoon, the ball was stuck much higher than usual, just out of everyone’s reach. One determined student gave it their best shot and tossed a shoe to try and knock it loose, only for the shoe to get stuck right alongside the ball.
That’s when Hare decided it was time to help. He went to his vehicle, grabbed a collapsible boat pole he keeps handy, and after a few careful reaches, both the shoe and the ball were safely back on the ground, to the pleasure and laughter of the students.
The Difference:
By watching first, SRO Hare saw the students’ teamwork in action, and when they truly needed a hand, he was ready to help. His small act of service turned a stuck ball and shoe into a shared moment of joy and connection.
It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best way to make a "Difference" is to let others grow, and be there when they need you most.
That’s The Difference.
Contact:
Jennifer Sampson, Media Relations Coordinator
Centennial Protection Group
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