MEADVILLE —
Two men, both of whom say they get joy out of working with others, have been honored by the Crawford County Community Council with its Elmer M. Nelson Award for Excellence.
“This means a lot to me. I’m very honored to be a part of the community,” said Matt Capron, an education specialist with Women’s Services Inc., when honored Friday with the employee award.
Dave Roncolato, a volunteer with the United Way of Western Crawford County, was honored in the volunteer category.
The awards, given each year to an employee and a volunteer with a social service agency, are named now for Elmer M. Nelson, long-time head of the Crawford County assistance office of the Department of Public Welfare.
The awards are given to those in social service who provide significant assistance to the Crawford County community, said Lisa McFarren, president of the Crawford County Community Council. The council is a coalition of more than 50 health and human service agencies and individuals that meets monthly to exchange information on available services and resources.
Capron was nominated by Maplewood Junior-Senior High School for his work in educating students on the issue of dating violence.
“Through a role play, he dramatically portrays an abusive male in a dating scenario that effectively allows the students to see the danger signs in their relationships,” said Denise Foltz, a nurse at the school who presented the award to Capron.
He also presents other educational programs to students in Crawford Central, Conneaut and PENNCREST school districts from kindergarten through high school.
“It’s the kids themselves,” Capron said of what motivates him. “They give me the energy. I love what I do.”
Roncolato, who is director of community service at Allegheny College, was honored for his volunteerism with the United Way.
He was one of the founders of Make A Difference Day, the annual day of community service in Crawford County each October.
Make A Difference Day is a community service project by about 1,000 local volunteers. Projects range from things like leaf raking and painting to home repairs. Make A Difference Day does more than 100 projects each year.
In accepting the award, Roncolato said the social service agencies that are part of the Crawford County Community Council aid in volunteerism with Allegheny’s students.
“It’s the community of all of you who are co-educators of Allegheny,” Roncolato said in accepting the award. “They get lessons they don’t learn in the classroom by volunteering and working side-by-side with you.”
Roncolato told a reporter what inspires him is he “believes in the dignity of all persons. I live in an inspiring community that shares that commitment.”
Did you know?
The Crawford County Community Council Awards for Excellence have been given out since 1991. They are given to the volunteers and professionals in the field of social service who provide a significant impact on lives in the Crawford County community. A few years ago, the awards were named in honor of Elmer M. Nelson, the long-time head of the Crawford County assistance office of the Department of Public Welfare.
Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
Md. 911 Dispatcher Caught Sleeping on Job
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Iowa Man With Zebra, Parrot in Truck Gets DUI
Egyptians Pick New President in Free Election
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
