MOUNT VERNON — Four people were the center of attention when the August First Friday event kicked off with Mayor Matt Starr presenting the Volunteers of the Year awards.
The 2025 honorees are the late Paul Ascitelli, Heather Barbour, and Jeff Williams and Courtney DeCoskey of Nellie Six Productions.
“It’s very important that we get a chance to show our appreciation. Mount Vernon is a great place to live, and that’s in large part because of the incredible people who step up and give their time, energy, and heart to this community,” Starr said.
“And this year’s honorees are people who go above and beyond in so many ways, sharing their time, talents, and resources to make a difference.”
Starr said choosing to become a volunteer is a personal choice, and everyone has their own reasons for getting involved.
“But no matter what brought these individuals to serve, one thing is clear: our community is better, stronger, and more connected because of these four amazing individuals who care deeply about the city of Mount Vernon and want to give back,” he said.
Paul Acitelli
Although Paul Acitelli passed away in June, Starr said it is never too late to say thank you.
“Paul consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to helping others, particularly individuals with disabilities,” Starr said.
“Each Christmas he adopted a family through The Salvation Army or a church, and thoughtfully purchased gifts, not only for the children, but for the parents as well.”
Acitelli participated in local theater production with Orange Barrel Productions and was a gifted writer, penning numerous memoirs documenting his life experiences as a person with a disability.
“His reflections provide insight into the challenges that he faced, especially as he aged, which serves as a powerful voice for others in similar circumstances,” Starr said.
Acitelli consistently raised funds to help others, including:
•$1,000 in 2020 to help individuals pay bills during the height of COVID-19
•$2,300.44 in 2023 for The Salvation Army to support individuals with disabilities in need of housing assistance, utilities, and other support
•$1,652.76 for the Family First Council to assist people with disabilities and fund recreational access like access such as Hiawatha waterpark passes
“He would give anything he had to help others with disabilities, and his actions continue to make a meaningful impact,” Starr said. “In my opinion, this is a gentleman who truly had a servant’s heart.”
Heather White, Acitelli’s support manager, accepted the award on Acitelli’s behalf.
She said Acitelli passionately wanted to give back to those with disabilities.
“That was his whole life balance. Every time you would talk to him, that’s what he wanted to do, find something that would help people with disabilities,” White said.
“Whether it was kids, adults, whoever it was, that was always his passion. He was a great guy. We’re going to miss him.”
Heather Barbour
Heather Barbour teaches physical education at Twin Oak and Columbia elementary schools.
She serves on the Physical Education Board for the Ohio Association of Health, Recreation, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. Since 2008, Barbour has been a student chair liaison, an all-Ohio representative, and a secretary.
Barbour is writing the 2025 physical education standards, is heavily involved at Life Point Church, and started the Twin Oak Pickleball League.
She is an instructor for the ROX (Ruling Our Experiences) program for the fifth-grade Girls Empowerment Program.
Other activities include serving on the city’s recreation board, working with the fitness trail at the Columbus Delano Field of Discovery, and resurrecting the city’s Easter egg hunt.
She also coordinates the Safety Town project for the Mount Vernon school district.
“This is a young lady that we have high expectations of for our city of Mount Vernon, so I would like to congratulate Ms. Heather Barber for this year’s Volunteer of the Year award,” Starr said.
“As a PE teacher, I have the incredible opportunity of influencing the health of hundreds of students every year, and it’s a job that I don’t take lightly,” Barbour said.
Thanking the administrators at Columbia and Twin Oak, she said, “They’ve all been very supportive of all the initiatives and crazy ideas that I’ve come up with.”
She also thanked Assistant Police Chief Andy Burns, Sgt. Nick Myrda, and Emily Morris for their support and help with Safety Town.
“One last volunteer that I would like to thank, because he didn’t really know he was volunteering, is my husband, because he unloads, unpacks, puts pedals on bikes, takes pedals off bikes multiple times, and is just always doing all the things behind the scenes,” Barbour said. “As well as our three kids that are my constant guinea pigs.”
Nellie Six Productions
The husband-and-wife team of Jeff Williams and Courtney DeCoskey comprises Nellie Six Productions.
Nellie Six Productions coordinates the annual Summer Front Porch concert series on East High Street in Mount Vernon. They also coordinate the March fundraiser at The Woodward Opera House to benefit the Front Porch concert series.
The duo founded the Kokosing Valley Arts Alliance, which works to create opportunities and remove barriers for local and regional artists to develop and share their art with their community.
They are active with MTV Arts and The Alcove Dinner Theater, provide instruction at the MTV Arts summer workshops, and coordinate the annual youth showcase with the Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival.
“This is a long-standing tradition within the festival, reflecting its commitment to celebrating and supporting youth arts in the community,” Starr said.
DeCoskey is also involved in a variety of venues and companies as an actress and a singer.
“I’m very happy to call these two very good friends of mine,” Starr said. “I can’t say enough about them and what they have done for the arts community in the city of Mount Vernon.”
“We really appreciate the recognition and the acknowledgment, but all of the events that we do throughout the year that we’re a part of, we kind of spearhead where we can and try to coordinate, but all of the events come together because of all of the artists and other coordinators who come together,” Williams said.
“We work with so many people on other committees and other organizations that come together to make the events a success that we put on, and so it really is a group effort. We’re just happy and proud to be a part of it.”
Small moments create something powerful
“Mount Vernon thrives because of the passion, the dedication, and the quiet determination of volunteers, and this year’s honorees are no exception,” Starr said.
“And we all know they don’t do it for the spotlight. They give their time, their talent, and their energy because they care deeply about the community.”
“The impact of their efforts may happen in small moments, but together those moments create something powerful. It’s a ripple effect that makes Mount Vernon stronger, more vibrant, and more connected.”
Mount vernon mayor matt starr
Starr said that taking a moment to recognize the volunteers is important because it reflects “who we are as a city: a place where we value service, kindness, and the belief that we all have a role to play in making our world a little bit better.”
