Individuals, institutions to receive awards during ACTION fundraiser

YOUNGSTOWN

The Most Rev. George V. Murry, S.J., bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, will be the keynote speaker at the ninth annual banquet to be sponsored by ACTION, a community organizing group that focuses on such social issues as crime prevention, education, immigration and health and wellness.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish social hall, 343 Via Mount Carmel, will be the setting for the event. Doors will open at 5 p.m. for a social, and the banquet will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.

Bishop Murry will speak on “Building Healthy Families, Transforming the Community through Action.”

In keeping with the theme, ACTION will honor four individuals and two institutions for their strong commitment to positive change.

Awards being presented to individuals are as follows:

Public Service Award — Annie Gillam, first ward councilwoman, for her leadership in the local campaign to curb urban blight.

Community Investment Award — Herb Washington, local entrepreneur, for economic opportunities that developed through his “Fast Track” program.

Community Empowerment Award — William Mullane, educator/activist, for his work in the area of community engagement.

St. Michael Roman Catholic Church of Canfield, will receive the Humanitarian Award for its relief efforts directed to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, and the Raymond John Wean Foundation will receive the organization’s prestigious Frances Kerpsack Community Service Award, in recognition of its commitment to neighborhood transformation.

Tickets for the banquet, ACTION’S sole community fundraiser, are $40 each or $300 for a table of eight. For more information call Rose Carter, ACTION’s executive director, at 330-782-7433.