State trooper will be recognized for founding Greensburg Shop with a Cop program

The 2019 Salt and Light Award winners are a parish director of faith formation from Rostraver, a Filipino couple from Greensburg, and a Pennsylvania state trooper, the Diocese of Greensburg said.

The annual awards recognize people or organizations in the diocese for their humanitarian and philanthropic achievements.

This year’s winners are Barbara Zucconi, parishioner and director of faith formation at St. Anne Parish, Rostraver; Dr. Primo and Henna Bautista, members of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Greensburg, and the Legion of Mary; and Trooper Stephen Limani, founder of the Greensburg Shop with a Cop program.

“I remember just 10 years ago, we went shopping for a few kids with $50, and now, through the generosity of the people of southwestern Pennsylvania, we are able to go shopping each year with $50,000 and help a lot more children,” Limani said. “I don’t look at it as a honor to me at all, although I’m very excited about it. But it’s actually a tribute to the people of southwestern Pennsylvania.”

The awards banquet will be held April 25 at Stratigos Banquet Centre, North Huntingdon. Greensburg Bishop Edward C. Malesic will present the awards, and Monsignor Raymond E. Riffle, director of Catholic Charities, will be master of ceremonies.

Proceeds go to benefit people in need of food and utility bill assistance.

The award takes its name from Matthew 5:13-14, where Jesus states, “You are the salt of the earth. … You are the light of the world.”

For registration or sponsorship information, visit www.ccharitiesgreensburg.org.