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Ohio-Meadville District of the UUA |
Each year the District Board presents several awards recognizing outstanding work for and in the district. In 2005 three different awards were given: The Ohio-Meadville District Unsung Hero Award; The President's Visibility Award; and The Faith In Action Award. We have included information about the award winners and their projects below for those who are interested.
To learn more about nominating someone or a congregation for an award, please visit the Award Nominations Page.
2005 Unsung Hero: Marion and Elmer Hoffman of the Akron UU Church
Marion Hoffman is a fifth generation Universalist who has been a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron for 67 years. Marion grew up in the church, participating in Sunday School and later teaching kindergarten and fourth grade. She was also an Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School for many years. She joined the youth group as soon as she was old enough and took part in Youth Sundays and other opportunities for young people. She participated in and helped with the Art Shows at both the Mill Street and the present building. She chaired the Special Friends Program (matching children with adults in the congregation) for seven years. She taught cooking during the "Classes by Choice" years. She has participated in all the women's groups starting with Friendly Circle right through to the current UU Women's Association, helping with Bazaars, Rummage Sales, and Dinners. She served as President of the UUWA for four years, and has been Treasurer for the last three years. In 1992 she served on the committee celebrating 200 years of Universalism, and continues to help with Outreach, Christmas decorating, Greeter, lettering all the name tags in calligraphy, and all events at the church. Marion stays in touch with those who were members years ago, as well as becoming acquainted with all the new members. Last year, with her husband Elmer, Marion saw to fruition the placement of a plaque on the site of the old Mill Street Church, now the Convention Center. Marion handled the publicity and fundraising for the plaque, which is cast iron, and fulfilled a long-time dream of having a permanent marker at the Universalist Church of Akron in downtown Akron.
Elmer Hoffman has been a member of the UU Church of Akron for 58 years. In that time he has been a member of the Board of Trustees, Men's Club, UU Women's Association, the committee celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Universalism, and the RE and Outreach Committees. Since 1946, Elmer has taught Sunday School in all grades from Kindergarten to grade 12. That makes 59 consecutive years of teaching Sunday School! Elmer also participated in the Special Friends program from its inception. He has sung in the choir and he even directed the choir one year. Elmer is behind the camera photographer who records life events at the church. He has helped to decorate the church for Christmas, participated in art shows, and worked at rummage sales and other fundraising events. He also serves as an usher for memorial services.
2005 Visibility Award: The Ginger Hill Unitarian Universalist Congregation
The Ginger Hill UU Congregation began meeting in Slippery Rock in January, 2003. This congregation endeavors to promote UU principles through deeds, through a project called Grace In Action. This program has encompassed many programs.
2005 Faith In Action Award: Shirley's Soaps and Such, of the Toledo UU Church
Shirley's Soaps and Such is a "hygiene pantry" operating out of First Unitarian Church of Toledo on the first and third Saturday's of every month to provide needy people with products ranging from toothbrushes and feminine hygiene to diapers (adult and children) to shampoo and soap to toilet paper. Goods are distributed on a first come first serve basis. Because food stamps can not be used to purchase such items, our assistance is limited to hygiene products.
The hygiene pantry has been in operation since September 20, 2003. In the past year it has served over 4,000 families, serving over 17,000 people. The pantry is under the supervision of the Social Justice Council of the church and does its own fund-raising.
From the very beginning, the First Unitarian parishioner who has been our inspiration and motivating force has been Mimi Leo. At the beginning of this effort, Mimi was doing the shopping for the pantry - at that time, a weekly event - as well as helping to coordinate and service the many people who came. We sometimes had a line of people waiting to be served that stretched from our basement, across our parking lot, and down the sidewalk. Shopping not only meant searching for bargains, but also transporting the goods from store to church building, getting them inside and arranged for easy access. Recently, another volunteer has taken over the shopping, but Mimi spends an entire evening each week, making an inventory of the goods that will be available and printing off request forms. None of use can remember Mimi not being there on a Saturday morning, serving those who come, listening to people and getting to know their stories.
