Tressel to speak at ACTION banquet

Staff report

CANFIELD

Jim Tressel, Youngstown State University president, will be keynote speaker at the Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods’ 13th community fundraiser and banquet April 23 at St. Michael Family Life Center, 300 N. Broad St. The theme is “Moving ACTION from Organization to Organism.”

According to its website, ACTION is a grass-roots community organization that seeks to unite faith groups, schools, neighborhood organizations, tenant councils and other nonprofits to work for social justice.

A social hour is planned from 5:30 to 6 p.m. with dinner and program from 6 to 8:30. Doors open at 5.

Ray DiCarlo is banquet chairman, and Jacquie Hays is co-chairwoman.

The Frances Kerspack Award will honor Herbert Ferguson, public-school educator and War II veteran; Anthony Lariccia, one of the Valley’s top philanthropists; and the memory of Joanie Abdu, who is remembered through the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Tickets are $35 per person and $250 per table of eight. This year, payment may be made through a PayPal account, Actionoh.org.

ACTION’s annual banquet typically is attended by more than 400 people. This is the organization’s only fundrasier.

There are three levels of sponsorship, all of which include a full page ad in the program booklet. Sponsorships are 100 percent tax-deductible. Sponsor levels are bronze, $1,000 to $2,499; silver, $2,500 to $5,000; and gold, $5,000 or more.

For information, contact Rose Carter, executive director and lead organizer, at 330-782-7433.

The Rev. Dr. M. Rosie Taylor is ACTION president.