Recipients of Valley Legacy Awards are announced

Photo

Weeks

Photo

Marie LaCava

Photo

Louis laCava

Photo

Byard

Photo

Bennett

Photo

Becker

Photo

O'Neil

AUSTINTOWN — Five years ago, Shepherd of the Valley launched the Valley Legacy Awards to recognize the contributions, service, sacrifice, and compassionate actions performed by or for senior citizens in the Mahoning Valley. More than 80 individuals were nominated and 17 awards presented in the past four years.

This year, 25 people were nominated, and on Oct. 8, six received the award during a ceremony at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center in Boardman.

Recognized at the event were all the nominees who have seized or created opportunities to be of service to their community, their church, their family, and especially to senior citizens, without seeking special compensation or accolades.

Recipients of the 2009 Valley Legacy Awards are Rand Becker and Germaine Bennett, both of Youngstown; Bill Byard of Warren; Louis and Maria LaCava of Austintown; W. Lawrence Weeks of Cortland, Outstanding Seniors; and Mary Ann O’Neil of Youngstown, Outstanding Advocate for Seniors.

Brief summaries of their many contributions follows.

• Mary Ann O’Neil: For the past 25 years she has helped countless seniors in her role as a social worker for Catholic Charities. She is involved with her neighborhood block watch, ensuring the safety of elderly neighbors, and works closely with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office of Senior Services, Northside Coalition, and civic leaders. She organizes the delivery of meals to the elderly during the holidays, and mentors young people as they start in the social services field.

• Rand Becker: His background as an educator is evident in his community service and commitment to education and the arts. He has served in leadership positions with the Boards of the Community Service Corporation, offering education and GED testing for Ohio inmates, the Siedel Foundation, Youngstown Rotary Club, the English Center, the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, and the Youngstown Playhouse, where he has done a herculean job of helping to revitalize the venue. Upon retiring from teaching in 1979, he and his colleagues founded NEOLA, which helps schools comply with state and federal laws, and where he remains on the board as chairman emeritus. At age 80, he engages himself in ensuring this community grows stronger every year.”

• Germaine Bennett: She is an educator, community volunteer and civic leader. After retiring as assistant superintendent for Youngstown City Schools, she mentored her replacement, acted as special assistant to the superintendent of schools, and has conducted workshops on successful educational leadership. She is president and life member of YSU Alumni Association, is cochair of YSU Diversity Council, is chair of Humility of Mary Health Partners Board, represents the valley on the Catholic Healthcare Partners finance and strategy committee, and is an active member of a number of area boards. She has been recognized by several organizations for her distinguished leadership and service to the community.

• Bill Byard: He began volunteering as a banquet server at Packard Music Hall 35 years ago, and at age 83, he volunteers seven days a week. Over the years he has volunteered for Mobile Meals for 36 years, and for Contact Help Hot Line, Easter Seals Society, and Trumbull Disabled Veterans Group, where he sits on the board. He has logged more than 3,000 hours of service at Briarfield at the Ridge in the past two years.

• Louis and Marie LaCava: What began as a cards for veterans project by the couple has grown into a variety of activities for seniors and veterans. They visit widows of veterans and visit veterans in nine nursing homes across the valley. They provide veterans with bathrobes emblazoned with military service emblems, with lap and shoulder blankets, and with goodies. They also collect and distribute magazines and puzzle books, and send nearly 150 cards a year, and assist at military ceremonies. Through their efforts thousands of dollars in VA benefits for nursing home care has been raised. They have dedicated their lives to making the lives of area veterans more complete and less lonely.

• W. Lawrence Weeks: After spending his working life in the steel industry, he became involved with SCOPE Inc. in Trumbull County and is the volunteer area leader for 40 IRS-approved volunteer counselors who provide free income tax assistance to the elderly and low-income citizens. He has served on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce in both Youngstown and Warren, and with the Upton House and the Buckeye Club.