The Newark Morning Rotary Club honored several Newarkers for community service during the club’s annual awards ceremony June 19.
The Rev. Chris Dito received the Ray Civatte Community Service Award. Dito, the pastor of Parkview Assembly of God, founded the Delaware Regional Dream Center on Ruthar Drive, which provides a variety of community services, including food boxes, school supplies, drug addiction counseling and English lessons.
Master Cpl. Carter McKennon, of the Newark Police Department, received the Public Service Award. McKennon is known for his proactive policing and was involved in several notable arrests last year, including recovering three stolen vehicles in one month and apprehending a suspected drug dealer after a foot pursuit that involved assistance from a civilian.
Sasha Aber, owner of Home Grown Cafe, received the Spirit in Business Award. Home Grown is one of Newark's best-known restaurants, but it was Aber's support for the community that earned her the honor. She started the 12 Months of Giving program that shares part of the restaurant's proceeds with a different nonprofit each year, served more than 2,000 meals to health care providers during the pandemic and works to organize the business community as part of The Newark Partnership.
John Hornor received the Robin Broomall Rotarian of the Year Award. Hornor made significant contributions to the Rotary club, including upgrading its website, leading the effort to offer remote access to meetings via Zoom and working on the club's Report to Our Community fundraiser.
Karina Avila, a recent graduate from Las Americas ASPIRA Academy, received a $1,000 scholarship to pursue higher education.
The Rotary Club also installed its leadership for 2024-2025, including President Lynn Mey, President-Elect Jamie Zingaro, 1st Vice President Laurie Williams, 2nd Vice President Tyrone Jones, Secretary B.J. DiDonato, Treasurer Marie Holliday and Sergeant At Arms Laurie Williams.
Members of the board of directors include Cindi Viviano, Ed Gossett, Paul Keely, Sujan Timilsina, Fred Dawson, Robin Broomall and Bill Sullivan.
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