Mahoning Valley volunteers to be recognized at celebration

Staff report

Vienna

The HandsOn Volun-teer Network, along with WFMJ-TV 21 and the Our Valley’s Volunteers Campaign, recognizes volunteers in the Mahoning Valley showing exceptional commitment to community and social improvement with an upcoming awards celebration.

The awards will be presented during the HandsOn Volunteer Network Awards Celebration at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Avalon Golf and Country Club Squaw Creek, 761 Youngstown-Kingsville Road. Tickets are $30 per person, and the event includes dinner. Call the HOVN office, 330-782-5877, to request an invitation or to make reservations.

The nominees have been judged by a panel of community volunteers.

Nominees for the Individual Category include:

Marianne Bryson, of Beatitude House; Jamie Hughes, of Multiple Animal Rescue Nonprofits; Heather Merritt, of Birds in Flight Sanctuary; Bonnie Loomis, of Girls Scouts of NE Ohio; Tom Marshall, of Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley; Kate Shipka, of Mill Creek Metro Parks; Timothy Sokoloff, of Iron Soup Historical Preservation Company; Anthony Spano, of Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley; Suzanne Spirito, of Hospice of the Valley; and Virginia Wepfer, of S.O.P.H.I.A.

Nominees for The Virginia Leskanic Navigator Category include:

Betty Brindiar, of Canfield Operation Blessing; Ilona Labusch, of Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries; Rita Patton, of Volunteer Service to Seniors Reassurance Calls Program; and Beverly Pariza, of American Cancer Society and Mahoning County Veteran’s Services.

Nominees for the Inspiring Young Hearts Category include:

Olivia Helmick, of multiple organizations; Emily Jones, of The Camelot Center; and Karlynn Riccitelli, of Caring Kids Club.

The 2012 Corporate Partner in Service Award recipient is the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.