Best Ever “Service Above Self” Awards in Springfield
Posted
on Dec 08, 2014
More than 400 people filled Center Court at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield last week to honor three recipients of Rotary’s “Service Above Self” Award.
The ceremony was held on December 5. Local community service icons York Mayo and Bob Perry were celebrated for their community accomplishments supporting education and affordable housing through their long and storied careers of public service. Both count the local Habitat for Humanity organization at the top of their list of important local causes to which they have lent their personal and financial support.
Former New Jersey State Police trooper and retired NBA referee Bob Delaney was honored for his work with military and police post traumatic stress disorder victims in the United States and in forward deployed locations like Iraq and Afghanistan. Bob told the assembled audience that he advocated the use of the term “operational stress” rather than “post-traumatic stress” since PTSD carries a stigma that prevents some military and public safety professionals from talking about their situation, often delaying their treatment and recovery.
The event was part of the annual Holiday Showcase weekend for the Hall of Fame, culminating in a UMass basketball game on Sunday at the MassMutual Center.