LIBERTY Group honors several for altruism

Four individuals, a business and two groups were honored for their giving.
LIBERTY -- The Mahoning/Shenango Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals recognized some of the region's most prolific givers of time and resources Tuesday to mark National Philanthropy Day.
Anthony and Mary Lariccia of Boardman and their family, who together have donated $4 million to area nonprofit groups since 1984, were named Outstanding Philanthropists.
The event was at the Holiday Inn MetroPlex.
The death of the Lariccias' second child sparked their decision to establish a trust fund for ongoing charitable contributions, the association said. Anthony Lariccia also serves as a trustee of the YSU Foundation.
Hynes Industries, an Austintown steel processor, was named Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist. The company and its charitable arm, the William W. and Margaret L. Bresnahan Foundation, are both directed by the Bresnahan family and support dozens of local charities, the association said.
Others honored
Alan G. Brant, a retired banker, was named outstanding volunteer fund-raiser. He has chaired several capital campaigns at Hiram College and is president of the Mahoning Valley College Access Program, working to increase the number of Valley students going to college.
Youngstown Lions Club was named Outstanding Civic Organization for its commitment to eliminating blindness and providing eyeglasses to the needy as well as its service to low-income and special-needs adults and children.
ROCcK Choir, a singing group composed of children ages 5 to 18 whose lives have been touched by cancer, was named Outstanding Young Philanthropist.
Finally, Paul O'Brien was given a special recognition award for his role in establishing the Shenango Valley Foundation. Through his leadership, the association said, the foundation has acquired assets of nearly $20 million and distributed grants of more than $7 million.