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PERPETUAL HELP COUNCIL COUNCIL # 4603 - Nomination for Knight of the Year for 2024-2025

Brother Jim Valentine Sr. Nomination for Knight of the Year

Church Activities:

Jim is a familiar and trusted face in the parish. He coordinated the parish fish fry, helping it run smoothly the past 4 years. At the last Parish Festival, he volunteered both days to direct parking—a job few rush to do, but one Jim embraces without hesitation. Every Christmas, he helps with the White Christmas program, one year even using his own truck to pick up and deliver donations to families in need. Last year there was a national eucharistic procession which passed through Ohio starting at the West Virginia border on June 21st. The eucharistic procession passed through Steubenville, down through Newark, to Columbus, then continued down to Cincinnati before exiting to Indiana. The progression made 8 stops in Ohio; Jim Sr travelled to 5 of those 8 locations as part of the eucharistic procession’s honor guard. The only reason he did not attend the other 3 events was that they fell on prior commitments for the 4th degree. On a side note, he’s also facebook friends with Bishop Earl Fernandez which humorously shows extra voucher for his faith and character.

K of C Activities:

As financial secretary of 3 years, Jim plays a key role in keeping Council 4603 running smoothly and efficiently. Beyond the paperwork, he’s an encouraging and valuable resource—always ready to help new members or answer questions.
Jim is one of the most active 4th degree funeral honor guard volunteers in District 3. He kindly offers transportation so that others can also attend the services. He is the marshal of district 3, but doubles as commander of the 4th degree assembly 809, serving 3 years so far. For 2 years he was actually commander of 2 separate assemblies, leading the Lancaster assembly 812 in addition to 809. He’s done all these 4th degree leadership duties while also leading the parish fish fry, serving as financial secretary, and performing his functions in the honor guard and honor flight programs. He’s active on the exemplification team and steps in wherever there’s a need. At 79 years old, he’s still among the most active members of our council. If a need arises, Jim is one of the first to step in and help get the job done.

Community Activities:

Jim’s commitment to supporting veterans runs deep. He volunteers with the VA and plays a big role in supporting honor flights. He also travels outside our area to serve in the funeral honor guard when no one else is available—ensuring every Knight receives the honor and respect they deserve.

Reasons for Nomination:

When it comes to dependability, quiet leadership, and a true sense of service, Brother Jim Valentine Sr. stands out in our council and parish. He does not seek attention or praise for his efforts. His steady presence and quiet leadership have made a strong impact in our parish, our council, and the community. His strength, humility, and dedication to serving others has benefitted countless individuals and families. Jim’s dedication is consistent and genuine. With humility, Jim is always present, helping, putting others first. For his steady service and strong example, we proudly nominate Brother Jim Valentine Sr. for Knight of the Year.

PERPETUAL HELP COUNCIL COUNCIL # 4603 - Nomination for Youth of the Year for 2024-2025

CARSON ESPINAL NOMINATION FOR “YOUTH OF THE YEAR AWARD”

FRATERNAL YEAR 2024-25

Mr. Carson Espinal has been selected by Council 4603 as its nominee
for “Youth of the Year” for Fraternal Year 2024-25. His father, Pablo
Espinal, serves as the Council Warden and his older brother Blake
Espinal is a third-degree member of Council in good standing.

Carson attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Catholic
Elementary School from the fourth through the eighth grade, during
which time he was selected by his teachers as Student of the Month
and received multiple recognition awards for Kindness and Special
Virtue Awards for assisting classmates with special needs.

Carson served with distinction as an altar server at OLPH for five years,
assisting at daily and Sunday Masses as well as funerals, weddings and
was regularly asked by the church Deacon to serve at special Holy Day
Masses. In 2023, he was recommended by pastor Fr. Joe Yokum for the
Serra Club Award and received the award from Bishop Earl Fernandez,
Diocese of Columbus, OH.

Of his own volition, during the Covid Pandemic, Carson organized his
family to hand-make crafts from egg cartons and include personal cards
which were delivered to nursing home residents in Grove City, OH. In
cooperation with his sister Maci, they delivered donuts to the Grove
City Police Department and filled “blessing boxes” with non-perishable
items for the homeless. Without recompense, Carson both mowed
lawns in the summer and shoveled snow in the winter for a single
mother and a US military veteran neighbor.

During his entire time at OLPH and continuing on this year, Carson
helped with the Council’s annual 6-week Lenton Fish Fry, performing
any duty requested of him. This is in addition to his part-time
employment at a local restaurant in Grove City.

Mr. Espinal is presently a Sophomore at St. Charles Preparatory High
School pursuing a college prepatory curriculum. Carson enjoys sports,
playing soccer for his high school team as well as CYO basketball.
Carson continues his caring for others as he and fellow classmates
recently volunteered at the local Ronald McDonald House where they
cooked and served meals for over 50 people whose children are in the
hospital.

Though only a Sophomore, Carson already plans to participate in the
Mentoring Program in high school wherein upper classmen assist new
in-coming students become acclimated to and ease the transition into
the school regimen. After high school, Carson is entertaining a career
in the US Air Force, striving for a possible recommendation to Officer’s
Candidate School and a Bachelor’s Degree in the field of Construction
Management.

PERPETUAL HELP COUNCIL COUNCIL # 4603 - NOMINATION FOR CHAPLIN OF THE YEAR FOR 2024-2025

Submission of Deacon Michael Sowers Nomination for "Chaplain / Spiritual Advisor of the Year award" 

FRATERNAL YEAR 2024-25

Deacon Michael Sowers has been the Chaplain / Spiritual Advisor for Council #4603 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Grove City for the past several years. Deacon Sowers very seldom misses a business meeting at our council, and always has insightful Chaplain's Messages to share with our brothers.

This year, Deacon Sowers joined the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, a fraternal order that seeks to promote the presence of Christianity in the holy land. Deacon Sowers had several expenses pertaining to his membership as well as the travel that's expected of new members of this order, Council #4603 voted to defray part of Deacon Sower's financial obligations during the process of his joining.

Deacon Sowers remains a humbly instructing and consistently supportive member of our council and we feel blessed to have him.

Council 4603 respectfully submits Deacon Michael Sowers as our nominee for Chaplin of the Year.

PERPETUAL HELP COUNCIL COUNCIL # 4603 - Nomination for Family of the Year for 2024-2025

Ken and Julie Walker as Family of the Year

I am nominating Kenneth and Julie Walker as family of the year for Council 4603. Dedicated members of our Parish for 15 years,  Ken and Julie work feverously for both our Knight’s Council and Parish throughout the year. 

Church Activities:

There is not a parish event that Ken and Julie do not participate in.  They both serve as OCIA sponsors each year, are Point Persons for the Evangelical Catholic Reach More Mission, and are active members in the Women’s and Men’s Fellowship Saturday morning initiative. Ken is our Parish Co-Captain for the Columbus Catholic Men’s Conference and is always promoting attendance among the men of the parish. Ken was the Parish Leader for the That Man is You program, and in the past has been involved in MCing at weekend Masses.  Julie is our Parish Captain for the Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference and works to promote a bigger attendance each year.  She also cantors at weekend Masses.  

K of C Activities:

Ken and Julie are very active in the Knights activities.  Ken served as Grand Knight for 3 years, Deputy Grand Knight for 3 years, Chancellor for 3 years, and has been a Trustee for 6 years. Ken also was the Director of the Faith and Life Programs for several years. Participating at the yearly Fish Frys, Julie has run the basket raffle every year, and ran the raffle and coordinated the Lady Knights participation in all things outside of meal prep for 4 years.  The Walker’s donate their house for our annual KofC Christmas float making for the Grove City Parade, and for many years coordinated the efforts of the Brother Knights for the KofC float in the Grove City Arts in the Alley Parade. Ken and Julie also work at the KofC tent during the Parish Community Festival. 

Community Activities:

Ken and Julie both participate in the “Roaming Catholic” initiative each year at the Parish Community Festival walking around speaking about our faith to the community attendees. They have and continue to open their home to retreats/studies for parish and non-parish members.  Talks led by Priests have included - Marian conferences, St. Joseph and the Holy Family, and Personal Relationship with Jesus.  They also led an OCIA Reunion day at their home introducing the neophytes to the different ministry heads of the parish to initiate participation. Julie has been leading the Rosary live on our parish Facebook site every weekday morning since Covid, people as far as Florida join in daily.

Reasons For Nomination:

The Walkers are always willing to help and mentor others in the parish and council with a willing heart and quiet humility, never wanting attention or seeking appreciation. They are always trying to find ways  to get others excited and involved in their faith, our parish and Council 4603. They truly are giving all their efforts, praise and glory to God.  

I cannot say enough about the time and efforts that the Walker family have given to our Parish and Council. Nor can I think of a family more deserving of this nomination.

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