Volunteers and community members who made an impact on the Town of McCandless will be celebrated and recognized at the 2025 Shining Star Gala on Nov. 1 at the Camelot Banquet facility in Pine.

This year honors 11 individuals and one community group who have given their time and talents over the years, according to Joe Wall, a town council member and honorary chair of the gala.

“There are so many people who do so many positive things. There are very few programs that celebrate the accomplishments for those who do. Nobody asked for these awards. These people go through life helping others,” Wall said.

The evening will feature music, dancing, food and a presentation of the honorees. More than 20 prize baskets will be raffled off, and a cash bar will be available.

Individual tickets cost $90 and a table of eight is $720. Tickets can be purchased at secure.rec1.com/PA/mccandless-pa/catalog by clicking on Shining Star Gala.

All proceeds go toward advance the mission and the programming of the McCandless/Northern Allegheny Heritage and Cultural Center on 830 Aufman Lane in McCandless.

Community members can submit nominations for the Shining Star awards ahead of the event. All honorees are approved by the McCandless Financial Development and Promotional Committee for the Heritage and Culture Center, Wall said.

This year’s honorees include Jay Adzema of Adzema Pharmacy for philanthropy; Kristin Chick, for volunteering, early learning efforts and coordination of the annual St. Aidan’s Festival held in McCandless; Steven D’Achille, as president of the Alexis Joy D’Achille Foundation; Mary Anne Eisenreich, for volunteering and as a public servant; and Don Falkner, a volunteer and treasurer of the McCandless Financial Development and Promotional Committee for the Heritage and Culture Center and for the Vincentian field construction of the McCandless Athletic Association.

Other honorees are Paul Kline, for volunteering for the Highland fire department and Boy Scouts of America; Chuck Jackson, for volunteering and as a Heritage and Cultural Center benefactor; Margie Miller for volunteering at UPMC, Memorial Park Church and a community garden club; Daniel Moon of SSB Bank for philanthropy; Michael Tarle, former president of McCandless Council; and Bob Wright of the Wright Automotive Group for philanthropy. The Longvue Acres Garden Club, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, also is being recognized.

The cocktail reception begins at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6.

Two major sponsors include UPMC and Peoples Gas.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)