Mayor's task force lauds heroism, volunteerism

The task force held its 10th annual peace award banquet.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Olivia Hudson, who helped stop a pit bull from attacking a 13-year-old girl, was honored by the mayor's task force on crime and violence.
The attack in mid-September happened in the 700 block of Sherwood Avenue on the South Side. The girl, who had been waiting for a school bus, was found by police lying on the ground, bleeding from both ankles and her right arm/shoulder area. She was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center for treatment.
Hudson, who lives on Sherwood, and a second woman who wishes to remain anonymous, were honored by the task force for their selfless act of heroism in saving the girl from the dog. They received the task force's integrity award.
The task force had its 10th annual peace award recognition banquet Monday evening at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Hall with keynote speaker Jason T. Whitehead, Mayor Jay Williams' chief of staff.
The task force includes representatives from a variety of organizations and institutions. The group, which strives to have an impact on crime, has been active since 1993.
Other honorees
Also honored at the banquet:
Individual professional -- Lt. Rod Foley, head of the police department's Internal Affairs Division. Foley was recognized for his volunteerism, his work with civic groups and block watches.
Group professional -- John Geras Jr., Ohio Adult Parole Authority prison re-entry program director. He was chosen for his tireless efforts with local governments and community partners to develop programs to assist offenders returning to society.
Individual volunteer -- Dee Scotchie, who compiles the police department's Golden Gazette. The newsletter for seniors offers crime prevention tips and lists areas of criminal activity. She was chosen for her empathy and volunteerism among community individuals and groups.
Group volunteer -- WKBN TV-27 recognized for its "Caring for Our Community Kids Identi-kit" program. Since the program began 10 years ago, more than 37,000 children have received a kit. The kit is a wallet-size photo with personal information as well as the child's fingerprint to be kept in case anything bad happens to them.
Youth award -- Mahoning County Court Appointed Special Advocate program chosen for its outstanding volunteers' representation of children.
Vision award (posthumously) -- Radio personality and community activist Frankie "Mr. Lucky" Halfacre, who died in June at 75. His career spanned more than 50 years and he was inducted into the Radio/Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame of Ohio. Friends said he was always "doing a little good in the neighborhood."