Category Archives: Valley Legacy
Nominations Open for 9th Annual Valley Legacy Awards
You know them. You work with them. They are dedicated to making the Mahoning Valley a better place to live. They started programs that have improved people’s lives, the arts, the economy, and so much more. They volunteer their time. They are advocates for the elderly, speaking for them when they cannot. Now you need to nominate them for the 9th Annual Valley Legacy Awards.
We are seeking nominations for people from Columbiana, Mahoning, or Trumbull County who should be recognized for a lifetime of working to improve the Mahoning Valley or who have provided exceptional support of older Americans through their professional, volunteer, or civic roles. To be considered, nominees must have left a lasting legacy for our community and inspired others through their work ethic, concern for others, and enthusiasm for the betterment of our community.
On October 3, 2013, awards will be presented in two categories – Outstanding Senior and Outstanding Advocate for Seniors at the 9th Annual Valley Legacy Awards Luncheon. All of the nominees will be recognized for their good works during the program.
Click here or on the image below for a nomination form, which may be copied. Nomination(s) must be postmarked/emailed by Wednesday, July 31. If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Miller at either 330-530-4038, ext. 2057, or lmiller@ShepherdOfTheValley.com.
Valley Legacy Awards Looking for Sponsors
In 2005, the Valley Legacy Awards program was created to honor those who have devoted a lifetime of working to improve the Mahoning Valley, and those who work with the senior population. The program is directed by the volunteer Valley Legacy Advisory Board under the sponsorship of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Retirement Services, Inc.
We invite you to be a part of this uplifting event by becoming a sponsor of the Valley Legacy Awards and join the companies and individuals from across the Mahoning Valley who have sponsored the event through the years. A list of sponsors from previous Valley Legacy Awards can be seen here. Sponsorships are crucial to the success of this event that publicly recognizes and thanks those who have dedicated their lives to serving others.
To date, nearly 230 extraordinary people and organizations throughout Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties have been honored. (Click here for 2012 Nominee Biography Sheet) The Valley Legacy Award has been presented to 45 of those honorees. In 2010, the Cliff Johnson Valley Legacy Memorial Award for Timeless Service was created and is awarded posthumously by the Advisory Board to honor exceptional commitment to the Valley.
Nominations are solicited from the general public. Judging panels comprised of people dedicated to volunteerism and senior advocacy efforts from across the tri-county area carefully review all nominations and select award recipients. The annual awards luncheon draws more than 250 people representing businesses, organizations, friends, family, and numerous community leaders. As each nominee is introduced, a brief synopsis of his or her achievements is shared with the audience.
Download a copy of the Sponsor Form and help us to provide an appropriate recognition for these outstanding people.
The ninth annual Valley Legacy Awards luncheon, celebrating those who leave a lasting legacy of service and inspire others through their actions and deeds, is scheduled for noon, Thursday, October 3, 2013, at Avion on the Water.
Valley Legacy Recipients Announced
Winston Churc
hill said “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” On Thursday, October 11th, 29 people nominated for the 8th Annual Valley Legacy Awards were recognized for not just making a living, but for making a life. From that remarkable group, six outstanding people received the Valley Legacy Award.
The 2012 Valley Legacy Award recipients are:
Outstanding Seniors:
Diana Bauman, Warren, Carol Bigelow, Youngstown, George Grim, Boardman
James E. Herriman, Warren, Beverly Poidmore Pariza, Boardman
Outstanding Advocate for Seniors: Charles Wilkins, MD, Youngstown
Eight years ago, Shepherd of the Valley launched the Valley Legacy Awards to recognize, in a significant and public way, the contribution, service, sacrifice, and compassionate actions performed by or for the senior citizens in the Mahoning Valley.
In the past seven years, the Valley Legacy Awards have honored nearly 175 extraordinary people and organizations, with 40 receiving the Valley Legacy Award. This year’s nominees hailed from Austintown, Boardman, Canfield, East Palestine, Girard, Leavittsburg, Lowellville, New Waterford, Niles, Poland, Salem, Warren, West Farmington, and Youngstown. The spanned a multitude of interests, occupations, and talents with friends and family nominating educators, community volunteers, veterans, business people, and physicians.
“Americans are recognized for being the most caring and giving people in the world,” stated George Hays, Valley Legacy Advisory Board Co-Chair. “The members of the 2012 class of Valley Legacy Award nominees are inspiring examples of this caring and giving nature. While six will take home an award, all of the nominees, by virtue of their selfless dedication, are winners.”
Dennis Parks, President of Shepherd of the Valley’s Board of Directors, stated to the 260 people gathered for the luncheon at Avion on the Water, “It is my belief that we are all here to serve a purpose. If you have had the opportunity to review the background of this year’s nominees, you can know and appreciate a group of outstanding individuals who have spent a lifetime serving a purpose within our own Valley. We are honored to recognize them today at the eighth Valley Legacy Awards Luncheon.”
After the invocation by Rev. E. Richard Bowen, retired Lutheran pastor and resident of the Senior Apartments at Shepherd of the Valley in Niles and lunch, Mistress of Ceremonies Leslie Barrett, WFMJ Evening News Co-Anchor, and Don Kacmar, Shepherd of the Valley Executive Director recognized the nominees with flowers and a Certificate of Recognition for their contributions to the community. Leslie Barrett closed the luncheon by presenting the Valley Legacy Award to the Outstanding Advocate for Seniors, Dr. Charles Wilkins, and the five Outstanding Seniors; Diana Bauman, Carol Bigelow, George Grim, James E. Herriman, and Beverly Poidmore Pariza.
Meet the Valley Legacy Nominees
Americans are recognized for being the most caring and giving people in the world. The 29 members of the 2012 class of Valley Legacy Award nominees are inspiring examples of this caring and giving nature.
Take a moment to meet them “up close and personal”. Click here to download a PDF with a short summary of each person’s nomination and photograph.
Oprah Winfrey shares our nominees’ motivation, saying “I choose to rise up and see that in moments of desperation, fear, and helplessness, each of us can be a rainbow of hope, doing what we can to extend ourselves in kindness and grace to one another.” This year’s nominees give of themselves, not to achieve recognition, but because they see a need. They truly care about helping others.
In the past seven years, the Valley Legacy Awards have honored nearly 175 extraordinary people and organizations, with 39 receiving the Valley Legacy Award. This year, a record 29 nominations were received from across the Valley. Nominees hailed from Austintown, Boardman, Canfield, East Palestine, Girard, Leavittsburg, Lowellville, New Waterford, Niles, Poland, Salem, Warren, West Farmington, and Youngstown. Our nominees span a multitude of interests, occupations, and talents. Friends and family nominated educators, community volunteers, veterans, business people, couples, sisters, and physicians.
Tickets to the luncheon on October 11th at Avion on the Water in Canfield are still available. Contact Lynn Miller at 330-530-4038, ext. 2057, or via email.
Valley Legacy Nominees Announced
Congratulations to the nominees for this year’s Valley Legacy Awards. Twenty-nine nominations were received from across Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana Counties.
The nominees for the Class of 2012 are…
Outstanding Senior Award
Diana Bauman
Lock P. Beachum, Sr.
Carol Bigelow
Ron Borngesser
Linda & Marlene Caldwell
Shirley Combs
Ronald & Dodie George
Ann Grhim
George Grim
Ruth Jean Hawkins
James E. Herriman
Shirley & William Kohuth
Marian Lipp
Penny Lippiatt
Donald J. Marsco
Henry Nemenz
Jean Parke
Beverly Poidmore Pariza
Anne Schweinfurth
Vincent E. Schuyler
SaritaTate
Ruth Telford
Lana VanAuker
Sally Wehmer
John Wolboldt
Outstanding Advocate for Seniors Award
Thomas E. Albani, Jr., MD
Becky Borman
David Mirkin
Vincent E. Schuyler
Sarita Tate
Charles Wilkins, MD
Bios and photographs will be posted to the website and the Valley Legacy Facebook page beginning August 22.
The nominees will be honored and award recipients announced at the Valley Legacy Awards Luncheon on October 11th, 2012, Avion on the Water Banquet Center, Canfield. Invitations will be available after September 1. To be added to the invitation list, contact Lynn Miller at LMiller@ShepherdoftheValley.com or 330-530-4038, ext. 2057.