The Calvary Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, which annually honors men from Western New York for their contributions to their community, has named New York State Senator Mark Grisanti (60th District) as a "Men Moving Forward" award recipient.

According to Calvary CME Church Pastor Shirley Billps Bell and general chairpersons Bonnie Conerly and Shelby Pittman, the purpose of the celebration is "to ensure that young men in our community can seek out these high profile men as their role model.

" I am humbled to receive this award tonight, and I congratulate all the other award winners. It is important to be involved in your community and be a role model for young men and women. I encourage others to volunteer at your church, or be a coach for a youth sports team or be apart of your block club, anyway you can help in the community counts," said Senator Mark Grisanti.

 City of Buffalo Associate Judge Robert T. Russell Jr. presented the awards to Grisanti and 29 other Western New York residents at a dinner this past Friday (November 1) at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.