Msgr Michael Billian,
pastor of St. Joseph Parish of Sylvania and a member of the
Padua Center board, gave the keynote address, followed by
the honoring of several individuals.
Earl Mack, president of
the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, received a Padua
Promotor Award for his longtime commitment to helping youth
and young adults better themselves. A veteran of 36 years in
law enforcement, Mack was a 2019 Jefferson Award Winner and
also received the 2019 medical Mutual of Northwest Ohio
Outstanding Senior Volunteer Award.
Kay Shrewsbery, a cross
“stitcher” who has made numerous art works for the Padua
Center’s auctions, and Susan Nowak, , who has donated
treasures and talents “to assure the Padua Center continues
to minister into the future” were also recipients of the
Padua Promoters awards.
Shrewsbery and Nowak are
volunteer directors of the Friendship New Vision GED
classes, members of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and chaplains
at the Lucas County Jail.
Roger Whickum received the
Volunteer Award. He has been the director of the Padua
Center Gardening program for the past two years – the Ujima
Urban Agriculture Project.
The Padua Center began its
work in 2006 when Father Michael Billian (later Monsignor
Billian) invited Sister Virginia Welsh to start the program
in St. Anthony Church which had been closed and abandoned.
He has continued to assure that the Center is supported and
funded by the Diocese of Toledo over the years.
Sister Virginia Welsh
still serves as executive director; Avery Cooper as director
of social programs; Whickum as gardener; Phyllis Toney as
Kwanzaa Park Neighbors coordinator and Oreda Bufkin as art
teacher. The Padua Center is part of the St. Martin de
Porres Parish.
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