Stafford, a long-time reporter and columnist for the Springfield News-Sun, encouraged people in March to donate their stimulus funds to local nonprofits. To date, over $130,000 has been raised for the Second Harvest Food Bank and other local nonprofits.
“I really want to thank everybody in the organization and I’ll accept this on behalf of those people that donated,” Stafford said during the event.
Stafford and his wife donated their $1,200 stimulus check to the Second Harvest Food Bank before calling on others to join the “1200 Club.” He wasn’t asking others to donate the whole check, but any amount they could.
The community contributed $128,871 to the Second Harvest Foodbank through the 1200 Club, which was enough to buy 695,000 meals.
“Due to Tom, we’ve been able to really reach and meet the need of those in the community. He is such a wonderful person and just a great guy that didn’t want any recognition, it was always coming from his heart and how much he cares for his community... and that makes it so much more powerful,” Tyra Jackson, the foodbank’s executive director, said during the event.
Incorvati, Deacon at Christ Episcopal Church, Wittenberg University English Professor and Coordinator of “Becoming Beloved Community” (BBC) in Springfield, accepted the award on behalf of (BBC), which was sponsored by nine churches.
BBC’s 2019 speaker series had six events and subsequent grants that promoted understanding the history of racial conflict, and explained the social and psychological forces underlying the racial divisions in the community.
“There’s an effort to have these difficult conversations. It really is a testament to the kind of goodwill in Springfield,” Incorvati said. “As a result of the good participation, we’ve had many registrations.”
Pastor Stan Gockle at Covenant Presbyterian, one of the sponsoring churches, applauded Incorvati’s leadership and said the series is a great thing to be a part of.
“I can’t say enough for all he has done for our community. He’s really the spearhead of all of this, he really deserves all the credit... for his passion for justice and unity and bridging the cultural divide within our community,” Gockle said.
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