The Panther Valley Irish-American Association members selected one of their own to honor as the "Irishman of the Year" at the 70th annual St. Patrick's Day Banquet.

Michael McCall of Summit Hill, who has long been involved in the association and other civic endeavors in the Panther Valley-Carbon County area,will receive the association's Shamrock Award March 17 at the Summit Hill Community Center."He's the perfect candidate," said Justin O'Gurek of Summit Hill, 2017 PVIAA president."We honor and recognize people who are loyal to God and our country, and contribute to the good of the community. Mike has shown his devotion toward his church, community and family by working hard without complaint, thus, he is deserving to the guest of honor status."A son of Carbon County recorder of deeds Emmett McCall of Lansford, and the late Mary Ellen (Sniscak) McCall, he will be the second from his immediate family to receive the honor.His father was the 1990 Shamrock Award recipient and also held the PVIAA presidency in 1986. Michael's grandfather, the late Patrick J. McCall, was among those of Irish descent who started the organization in 1948, and served as its president in 1950.His cousins, Keith and Tom McCall, also presided over the PVIAA, as did their late father, Rep. Thomas J. McCall. Keith, state representative and former Speaker of the House, received the award in 1997."My first reaction was 'there's gotta be someone more deserving,' " Mike McCall said. "To be honest, being considered for the Shamrock Award is something I never even thought about. When Juvey (Jim Crampsie) nominated me, and Pat (Crampsie) stood up and mentioned some of the things I have been involved in, I was honored and proud. I never expected this."A brother to Emmett Jr., Pat, Terry and the late Connell McCall, Mike is a 1983 graduate of Marian High School in Hometown,He has been employed by the State Workers Insurance Fund for the past 26 years. For the past 12 years, he has served as district manager in the Pottsville office.Community serviceHis community involvement includes volunteering at the former St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lansford, Our Lady of the Valley high school Catholic Youth Organization basketball coach, and at Marian High School, where he is a member of the Men of Marian and the Marian High School Hall of Fame CommitteeFor many years, he has served on the Carbon County Democratic Executive Committee, where he holds the position of Area 1 chairman (Lansford, Summit Hill and Nesquehoning). For 12 years he served as chairman of the Committee to Re-Elect Keith McCall State Representative.McCall, a longtime member of the Summit Hill Memorial Day Parade Committee, helped to organize and run the former Summit Hill Youth Basketball League.As a member of the PVIAA, he served as its president in 1995 and currently serves as its treasurer.He is a double organ transplant recipient, receiving kidney and pancreas organ donations in July 1989.McCall has been involved in organ donor advocacy through the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, often speaking to prospective organ recipients referred to him for personal witness and testimony about the procedures."I feel blessed," he said of his transplants 28 years ago. "At Penn, I had some of the best doctors in the world, and they were great. But since then, I've learned to count every day and to not worry about tomorrow. Having the family and friends that I have, and living in a great community, I wouldn't change it for anyone or any place else in the world."McCall said, "Giving back to the community is something we were brought up with. Our parents stressed doing for others, helping out people when you can, and, so, I have always tried to be a positive influence in the community."He said the PVIAA, not only preserves the Irish tradition, but its contributions to the community."Not a lot of people are aware of the tradition or the organization (PVIAA)," McCall said. "Sure, it's very nice to honor someone with the Shamrock Award every year, but what's most important is the way we give back to the community. The PVIAA has donated over $5,000 in the last two years to food banks, churches and to people in need."It's a great group of young guys, people who are coaches, council members, Little League umpires, and do things like that, who continue the great work of some of the older members, like my father, Bob Ames, Bob and Jim Crampsie, Joe Conahan, and people like them. They've kept this association in place. Now, in our 70th year, we have a great group people who from day to day are involved in the community and who will help keep this organization strong for years to come."The banquet will be served by Hess Catering, Schuylkill Haven, and will be preceded in a social hour from 6-7 p.m., followed by the program.Tickets to the dinner can be obtained from association members Emmett McCall, 570-645-2093; Billy O'Gurek, 570-527-6693; or Bob Crampsie, 570-657-1876.