This year, the Lower Providence Township Board of Supervisors initiated a program to recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals and businesses within the community. Nominations were sought for Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Business of the Year. The winners of the 2018 awards are: Citizen of the Year, Pasquale “Pat” Mascaro; Volunteer of the Year, John Zollers; and Business of the Year, Metropolitan Veterinary Associates.
The Board of Supervisors served as the selection committee for the Citizen of the Year. In selecting the recipient for the award, the Board looked for an individual who has performed outstanding service or made exceptional contributions to the community. The nomination application sought input on the individual’s leadership, service, character and accomplishments. In presenting the award, Board Chairman Patrick Duffy noted that Mr. Mascaro, personally and through his business, J.P. Mascaro & Sons, has a long-history of community involvement, donating time and funds for the betterment of Lower Providence Township. Often these gestures take place out of the limelight but there was a very visible example in 2018. The newly-constructed Francesco A. Mascaro Memorial Park, built in memory of Mr. Mascaro’s brother, was donated to the Township and the Methacton Baseball Association. Through his generosity, the community is able to enjoy a truly firstclass facility that includes a Little League baseball stadium, complete with individual seating and press box, two additional fields, a pavilion, a playground and walking trail.
The Volunteer of the Year Award was selected by the Parks and Recreation Board. The award recognizes the inspiring efforts of volunteers and the selection committee looked for an individual or organization who continually gives of their time to support the Lower Providence community. Mr. Zollers proactively reached out to the Township with a solution for a growing problem in Eagleville Park – the overgrowth of invasive plant species and destruction of native plants. He offered to use his expertise in landscape architecture/ecological restoration to launch a program in Eagleville Park to remove invasive plant species and re-introduce native plants. Mr. Zollers recruited volunteers for monthly “Restoration Days” and made sure his volunteers had the necessary tools and training. He plans to continue the program in 2019. His willingness to volunteer his time and talents is helping to restore and preserve Eagleville Park for the community and raising awareness about our ecological heritage.
Pasquale “Pat” Mascaro with Supervisors Gary Neights, Peter MacFarland, Jason Sorgini and Patrick Duffy.
John Zollers with Parks & Recreation Board Chairman Beth Ann Mazza and Supervisor Patrick Duffy.
For the Business of the Year Award, the Lower Providence Business Association served as the selection committee. The committee sought a business which has established itself in and within the Lower Providence community and has shown the values of generosity, togetherness and friendship to both its fellow businesses and residents. Metropolitan Veterinary Associates, which provides emergency care for pet owners, gives back to community in a number of ways, including offering free monthly pet loss support groups and no-cost quarterly CPR and first aid courses. MVA also donates to non-profit organizations and participates in charitable events, including blood drives for the American Red Cross, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and Lions Club eyeglass/cell phone collection drives. Each year, MVA holds a 5k event in the Township business park to benefit its Paws for Promise Foundation, a non-profit that was created to help owners who cannot afford to pay for emergency care. MVA, celebrating its 32nd successful year in Lower Providence Township, sets an admirable example within the business community.