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Residents honored with MICAH awards

By Chloe Johnson

Staff Intern



SPRINGFIELD The Pioneer Valley Project announced Jan. 28 the 18 recipients of the MICAH (Ministry in Community Action Honorees) awards for Community Service. The Pioneer Valley Project gives the MICAH awards annually to people who have made exemplary contributions to the community.

"The Pioneer Valley Project created the MICAH awards to recognize some of the unsung heroes in our community," Fred Rose said, the lead organizer at the Pioneer Valley Project.

The Pioneer Valley project is a multi-racial coalition of churches and unions working to improve the quality of life in the Pioneer Valley.

"We're a membership organization with 23 member groups. We address the issues of poverty, equality, and the overall quality of life. We work together and share the commitment of improving the quality of life in our communities," Rose said.

The awards are based on the prophet Micah's saying, "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good and what the Lord does require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your god," (Micah 6:8),

"We use the prophet's saying as a framework for the awards," Rose said.

The honorees of the MICAH award are nominated by the member groups of each congregation and union who feels that the honoree has made important contributions to their congregation or union and to the well being of the community, Rose said.

Rose explained what makes this event so distinctive is the diversity of the people being recognized across Springfield African Americans, Latinos, Whites; religious and labor union groups; Catholic, Protestant and Jewish.

"These are people who volunteer and give of themselves without recognition. People who are doing well in the community and who wouldn't normally be recognized," he added.

At the recognition dinner, the 18 honorees received a certificate for their outstanding contributions to the community. Each nominee made contributions in different ways but share the commitment in improving the well being of their community, Rose said.

Blessed Sacrament and All Souls Parishes honored Antonio and Matilde Martinez for their determination and untiring dedication in their parish and community;

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Springfield honored Milagros Nazario for her compassion, dedication and solidarity for her community;

Christ Church Cathedral honored Elizabeth and Michael Stevens for their valuable contributions to their church and the community;

First Part Memorial Baptist Church honored Gene Corbett for his dedication and compassion for helping others in his church as well as the community;

Greater New Life Christian Center honored Beverly Watkins-Jenkins for her outstanding contributions to her church and her community;

Holy Family Parish honored Angel and Ruth Perez for their untiring dedication to their church and the El Comino Community;

Mt. Calvary Baptist Church honored David A. Lewis, Sr. for untiring devotion and services to his community;

Pioneer Valley Central Labor Council honored Jon Weissman for his services to the community and the labor movement;

Sinai Temple honored Saul Finestone for his dedication, commitment and the services to his congregation and the community; Sisters of Saint Joseph honors Sister Annette McDermott for her untiring devotion, compassion, and services to the community; Springfield Education Associate honors Mary Chamberlain for her dedication and leadership in the community;

Third Baptist Church honors James Goodman for his work and services to his community;

Trinity United Methodist Church honors Walter Witholt for the contributions he has made towards his church as well as his community;

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1459 honored Jeff Jones for his commitment to working people and for the leadership he has demonstrated through his actions;

Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield honored Alan and Pat Banusewicz for their dedication and contributions they've made to their congregation as well as to their community.