OREGON—The Little Sisters of the Poor Sacred Heart Home won a Prism Award for excellence that was presented jointly by the Eastern Maumee Bay Chamber of Commerce and ProMedica Health System March 23.

Representatives of Little Sisters of the Poor, including Mother Cecelia Sartorius, received the Prism Award for excellence from the Eastern Maumee Bay Chamber of Commerce and ProMedica Health System. (Photo courtesy of Little Sisters of the Poor)

The Little Sisters of the Poor received the Prism Award in the category of the “Pioneer Award” for organizations that have been leaders in their fields. The award is presented annually to a business or organization that excels in different areas, has been in operation for at least 20 years and has made a significant contribution to the community.

The specific criteria judged upon include teamwork, quality, customer service, creating opportunity, community involvement, job creation, innovation, safety and employee benefits. The judges for the Prism Awards cited the Little Sisters as an excellent organization that has devoted many years of service to the Oregon community and was deserving of the honor.

The mission of the Little Sisters is to care for the elderly poor in a safe and homelike environment. The Little Sisters have continually operated the Sacred Heart Home in northwest Ohio for 125 years. The sisters, along with their staff of 80 lay employees, care for more than 70 full time residents and operate a daily senior center with more than 25 participants. The home offers three levels of care for its residents: independent living, assisted living and full nursing care.

“We are honored to be the recipients of this award,” said Mother Cecilia Sartorius, superior of the Little Sisters. She was happy to accept the award “on behalf of all the Little Sisters and devoted employees who daily carry out the charism of our mother, St. Jeanne Jugan, with joyful enthusiasm to make our residents happy.”