LIMA — The 37th annual Martin Luther King Jr. I have a Dream Awards Banquet was held Sunday evening to recognize people who contribute to the community in the spirit of the late civil rights leader.
“This is about keeping Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy alive,” said Lima City Councilman Derry Glenn. “We pick someone who keeps the dream alive for Martin Luther King Jr. We want to recognize people who do a good job in our community.”
The Rev. David Ross of St. Rose of Lima and St. John the Evangelist Catholic churches was the keynote speaker, telling people to renew their dedication toward a social consciousness to recognize that evil exists and to fight against it. Ross said King worked to fight the evil of racism.
He said that is achieved through strong families and a renewed effort to improve educational opportunities.
The following awards were given out:
Furl Williams Award, named after a former Lima City Council president, to Harry Shutt of Kewpee for his leadership in the community and for his dedication to Lima.
“Furl Williams always made sure Lima came first just like Harry does,” Glenn said.
The Mary Coleman Award, named after a former Lima councilwoman, was given to Necole Brownlow for her work in the black community.
The Larry Watkins Award, named after a Lima businessman, was given to Mona Hucks of the Goodwill Easter Seals of Lima.
The Rosa Parks Award was given to two people, Maxine Diller for her work with many causes including the food bank, and Leslie Long for her work with the Southside Neighborhood Association, Glenn said.
The Alberta Shurelds Award, named after a former president of the NAACP in Lima, was given to Glenna Turner, a community neighborhood activist.
The Georgia Newsome Award, was given to Eugene Moore, a volunteer who has a soft spot in his heart for causes that help the elderly.
The Keeping the Dream Alive Award was given to three people, Dr. Sharon Jefferson, a local pastor, to Jackie Fox of Lima Allen Council on Community Affairs, and to Jack Hammill for his work with the youth.
.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}
