Ignatian Volunteer Corps of NEPA to honor Frank ‘Mickey’ McDonnell

WILKES-BARRE — Attorney Frank “Mickey” McDonnell will receive the Ignatian Volunteer Corps of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s “Madonna Della Strada Award” — given to an individual or organization reflecting the Ignatian value of transformative service grounded in justice, mutuality and equality among those who are serving and being served.

Teddy Michel, director of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps of Northeastern Pennsylvania, recently stated that he wants to “get the word out” about the organization’s inaugural event on Thursday, March 30, at Scranton Prep from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

After a 50-year legal career, “Mickey” signed on as the very first IVC service corps member in May 2017. Michel said Mickey’s lifelong desire to serve manifests in acts of quiet kindness and moments of joy-filled smiles, firmly grasping the Ignatian philosophy of showing love more in deeds than words.

In his first two years with IVC, Michel said Mickey helped prepare and serve more than 50,000 meals at the St. Francis of Assisi Soup Kitchen. For the past four years, Mickey served at the Recovery Bank — a peer driven recovery support center for persons and their loved ones experiencing addiction. In Mickey’s words, “the Recovery Bank is a place where people go to make the right change.”

Additional event information may be found on IVC’s website — https://ivcusa.org/ivc-offices/welcome-to-ivc-northeastern-pennsylvania/ivcnepamadonnadellastrada/

To learn more about the Ignatian Volunteer Corps of Northeastern Pennsylvania, visit the website at — www.ivcusa.org/nepa — or email or call IVC Northeastern Pennsylvania Director, Teddy Michel at — jmichel@ivcusa.org — or call 570-941-4264.

From the IVC website:

• IVC is a unique national nonprofit organization providing men and women age 50 and better with meaningful opportunities to serve others. IVC also provides membership in a faith-sharing community united by a desire for spiritual development in the tradition of Ignatius Loyola.

• Inspired to give back and partner with nonprofit agencies working with the poor and disenfranchised, Ignatian Volunteers utilize their inherent gifts and acquired skills to provide hope and stability to individuals and families marginalized by the economic, educational and political realities impacting their lives.

• IVC’s communal and spiritual experiences set it apart from other volunteer opportunities. Transformation occurs for Ignatian Volunteers when they serve others and take time to reflect and share with each other about their service experiences.

• Important fact pertaining to the IVC program: Financial sustainability for our IVC program arises from partner agencies paying a modest fee for IVC service corps members. The partnership fee for an 8-hour per week IVC member for 10 months is $2,500 or $250 per month.