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ACTION honors 5 at annual banquet
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
One of the biggest rewards for 1st Ward Councilwoman Annie Gillam is simply seeing blossoms in place of blight.
For spearheading such efforts, Gillam found herself taking home another kind of reward.
“Blight is a big concern of mine. I’m glad someone recognized my efforts,” Gillam said before taking home a service award during ACTION’s ninth annual banquet and fundraiser Thursday in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish’s social hall, 343 Via Mount Carmel Drive.
Gillam and three other people and one institution were honored and received awards from the Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods for their commitment to bring positive changes to the Mahoning Valley.
ACTION is a faith-based, community-organizing group that focuses on numerous social issues such as crime prevention, health and wellness, immigration and education.
The other recipients were Herb Washington, a local entrepreneur; William Mullane, an educator and activist; the Rev. Terrence Hazel, pastor of St. Michael Church in Canfield; and the Raymond J. Wean Foundation.
Many people appreciate seeing community gardens in areas once occupied by dilapidated homes, for example, said Gillam, adding that she wants Youngstown to be known as the “city of landscapes.”
“It’s humbling and exciting at the same time,” Washington said about his award for developing economic opportunities in the Valley.
Washington, who played baseball for the Oakland A’s in the 1970s and owns 25 McDonald’s restaurants in the Valley and Cleveland, said he’s interested in helping young people who want to start their own businesses. In addition, Washington said, he’s eager to assist those who seek his expertise.
Washington added that his goals include expanding a program to give coats, hats and gloves to children in need during the holidays, and to provide assistance to Youngstown schools Superintendent Dr. Connie Hathorn, who’s developing a plan to restructure the schools.
Also honored was Mullane, who said he wants to promote Youngstown and the Valley, in part to attract support from governments and foundations nationwide. It’s important to galvanize the community and allow more people to take greater charge of their lives, he added.
Since 1998, St. Michael Church has offered financial support to the Little Children of Jesus orphanage in Haiti, which suffered minor damage during the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake last year near Port-au-Prince, noted Father Hazel. The orphanage provides food, education, physical therapy, clean clothing and other essential needs and services to children who suffer from birth defects and disabilities, he said.
Many destitute parents, unable to care for their children, drop them off at the facility, he said, adding that the number of needy people is so great that guards are hired to keep too many people from entering.
The keynote speaker at Thursday night’s event was Bishop George V. Murry of the Youngstown Diocese, who praised ACTION as well as those who received awards for promoting justice and peace in the Valley.
ACTION continues to make a positive impact on the area while maintaining its vision and providing hope against a backdrop of seemingly insurmountable obstacles and a difficult economy, Bishop Murry said.
“We must keep our eyes on the ultimate goal of justice,” he added.
The annual dinner is ACTION’s sole community fundraiser, and the group is dedicated to supporting Hathorn’s plan, noted Kathleen Garcia, an ACTION board member.