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MERCY HEALTH PARTNERS & THE TOLEDO BLADE CELEBRATE TOLEDO

Among the guests present were Bob Helmer, Lourdes College president.

A COCKTAIL reception for Celebrate Toledo Jefferson Awards for Public Service was Tuesday night at the Toledo Club. Hosts of the event were Steve Mickus, president and CEO of Mercy Health Partners, and Joe Zerbey, vice president and general manager of The Blade, who were sponsors also with Buckeye CableSystem and WTVG-TV, Channel 13.

Mr. Mickus remarked that "The Jefferson Awards for Public Service recognize community and public service at the local and national level and these people are unsung heroes who quietly and effectively work their magic behind the scenes to make our communities a better place, to live, work, and raise our families."

Special guest was Sam Beard of Washington, who co-founded the awards in 1972, along with former first lady Jackie Kennedy and Sen. Robert Taft, Jr. They established a "Nobel Prize" for ordinary people who do extraordinary things, but the awards also strive to encourage other individuals to support community and public service.

Mr. Beard is also a founder of the American Institute for Public Service for the sole purpose of recognizing public service in America. He has initiated - then chaired - service programs for each of the last seven presidents of the United States. In 1992, Mr. Beard helped create the President's Youth Service Awards. In 2006, Mr. Beard founded Global Investment Foundation for Tomorrow to encourage individuals, nonprofits, and corporations to use the power of compound interest to double charity worldwide.

To apply for a Jefferson Award, entrants need to submit an entry form and letter of volunteer accomplishments by Dec. 14 during business hours to Matt Lentz at The Blade. Entry forms are available at The Blade, Buckeye CableSystem, and WTVG-TV, or look for the Jefferson Awards advertisement in The Blade.