Area volunteers honored by group

In view of the economic situation, volunteers offer a resource more needed than ever.

STAFF REPORT

VIENNA — HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley presented Volunteer of the Year awards to four area residents and a local program at its 2009 Volunteer Recognition Banquet.

The five recipients, among 17 nominated, are Antonio DiTommaso of Hubbard, the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center Hospitality Program, Barbara Clark of Masury, Earl Baker of Canfield and Patrick Russo of Boardman.

The event occurred during National Volunteer Week 2009, Sunday through today, when thousands of volunteers nationwide and locally receive recognition for their generosity and selflessness in sharing their time and talent to improve their communities, said Maureen Drummond, HandsOn interim executive director.

Adding to the recognition of what volunteers do to create change is President Barack Obama’s signing into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which reauthorizes and expands national service programs, Drummond said.

HandsOn Volunteer Network is at the forefront of this movement through its mission of mobilizing volunteers, promoting leadership and transforming communities through service, civic engagement and nonprofit capacity building, she said.

HandsOn coordinates and mobilizes volunteers throughout the community, and in view of the current economic situation, it is a resource more needed than ever because more people need help and services, said Melissa Crowley, president of the HandsOn Board of Directors.

Also recognized at the banquet Wednesday at Avalon Lakes Golf and Country Club at Squaw Creek were 17 graduates of the 2009 Board Development and Leadership program.

A special presentation was made to Ohio Edison and its First Energy Foundation, which are instrumental in a lot of good things that happen in the community, said Jenn Maloney, HOVN outreach coordinator, who presented the award.

HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley serves the Mahoning Valley from three locations: In Mahoning County at 5550 Market St., No. 106, Youngstown, and on the Youngstown State University Campus in the Williamson College of Business Center for Non-profit Excellence; and in Trumbull County at 175 Laird Ave. N.E., Warren, housed in the Catholic Charities office.