Search for local Stars

WARREN - The Christmas lights have been put away and the new year has begun, and that means it's time once again to honor members of the community whose volunteer spirits shine brightly all year long.

The Tribune Chronicle and the Trumbull-Mercer County Chapter of the American Red Cross are seeking nominations for the ninth annual Community Stars award. Deadline for nominations is Jan. 15, and the recognition banquet for the winners will be held March 16 at Packard Music Hall.

The program was implemented in 2002 as a way to honor people who make a significant impact not only on their neighborhood, but the entire community. It is designed to honor people for their ongoing volunteer efforts as well as isolated heroic actions.

Since the program's inception, more than 80 people have been honored and another 10 will be added to the roster this year. Last year, 10 awards were given to 12 people because two of the honorees were husband-wife teams.

Sue Shafer, community events coordinator for the Tribune Chronicle, said 56 nominations were received last year, which was the most ever received. Nominations can come from past Stars, family members, friends, business and community leaders, and social service organizations.

Past winners are not eligible for nomination, and winners will be chosen by a panel of local business leaders. Winners will be announced in early February.

Past stars have come from all walks of life and all ages, from a high school student to a woman in her 90s who has since died. They have been honored for everything from volunteer work at the Red Cross to helping veterans, for turning personal tragedy into a way to help others, and for rescuing a family from a fire.

Last year's Community Stars were:

• James Barbe of Bristolville, a 19-year member of the American Legion Post 540 and Trumbull County Honor Guard.

• Lucille Bickel of Champion, who has been volunteering at the Clothes Closet at Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Warren for more than 30 years.

• Bill and Cordie Davis of Southington, who have led and planned 35 construction mission trips in the United States and abroad.

• James Economos of Warren, who is a member of about two dozen community organizations and is an advocate for revitalizing downtown Warren, including as a member of Trumbull 100, the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau and National Packard Museum.

• Vickie Harkelrode of West Farmington, who started a scholarship foundation for high school seniors in honor of her two sons, who both died tragically at the ages of 9 and 18.

• Melanie Jones of Warren, a social worker who is very active as a Girl Scout leader and church mentor.

• Roderick Lewis Jr., then a senior at Warren G. Harding High School, who used his own money to buy school supplies for needy children, hosted neighborhood parties and buy food for needy families.

• Loretta J. Pernice of Warren, pastor of Elim Christian Center, who started Pathway Sober House, an outreach ministry for recovering addicts, the homeless and families in crisis.

• John and Marian Scott of Cortland, who were honored for 10 years of service as disaster relief volunteers for the Red Cross.

• Marjorie Sudimack, who started as a volunteer driver for the Red Cross in 1973 and now transports patients for the American Cancer Society.

mkosinski@tribtoday.com