United Way of Hancock County has announced Michael “Chick” Padula as this year’s recipient of the Jeri Bjorling Memorial Distinguished Volunteer Award.
Padula is retired from Cooper Tire and Rubber Company where he served his 24-year career in many positions including: production engineer, electrician, plant engineer, staff engineer, special assignments engineer and plant assistant human resource manager. He is currently the president of the Findlay Area Human Resource Association (FAHRA). He has an associate’s degree of applied science in electronic technology, a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology and a master’s degree in business. He has taught human resources and organizational development classes at Owens Community College, the University of Findlay and Tiffin University.
Padula’s selection is due to his ongoing volunteer activities for United Way of Hancock County as well as many other community organizations. Prior to his retirement, he led internal United Way fundraising efforts at Cooper Tire while serving on the education, health and financial stability impact teams for United Way. Impact teams evaluate grant requests and make recommendations for the distribution of funds to local nonprofit organizations. While retired, he continues to chair one of the two education impact teams. He is also a member of the transportation coalition and the Raise the Bar Hancock County high school/post-secondary committee.
At a recent FAHRA meeting, Padula mentioned that volunteering for Special Needs Day is his favorite volunteer opportunity. During the event, he helps the children go fishing. He has also been a volunteer for Car Tunes on Main since its inception in 2007. Some of the events he has volunteered for include: United Way’s Days of Caring, Open Arms’ Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Coats for Christmas, 1 Matters Hancock County, and the Hancock County Home Builders Association annual golf outing. He also volunteers for The Arts Partnership, Habitat for Humanity and was on the Halloween parade committee for five years.
Padula is a 2012 Hancock Leadership graduate, a 2013 Government Leadership graduate and serves as a poll worker in Hancock County.
Padula will be honored at the upcoming United Way of Hancock County annual meeting on Thursday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn. The event is open to the public and cost to attend is $30.00 per person, or $240 for a table of eight. Registration is available by calling the United Way office at 419-423-1432 or registering at https://www.liveunitedhancockcounty.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1….
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