Father Pat Madden awarded Barton Award

The Rev. Patrick Madden, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Grove Hill, was recently awarded the Clara Barton Award by the Board of Directors of the Alabama Gulf Coast Regional Chapter of the American Red Cross.The award upholds the mission Clara Barton begun more than 125 years ago. Recipients are volunteers who have worked endless hours and held leadership positions in the Red Cross for many years. Mrs. Liesel Mims, executive director of the chapter, presented the award.

Fr. Madden joined the effort following the devastation of Hurricane Ivan while he was a pastor in Monroeville. He has provided leadership and involvement in the delivery of services for the Red Cross throughout the counties served by the Alabama Gulf Coast Regional Chapter, including Monroe, Washington, Clarke and Choctaw. His guidance, direction and exceptional ability to recruit skilled volunteers have proven to be invaluable.

A member of the Disaster Action Team, he assists clients whose homes have been destroyed by fire. He was a member of the board of directors for three years, currently assists on the Service Delivery Committee, which oversees all phases of Red Cross service planning and implementation throughout the region.