Marcia Orton, member of Branch 1425, Ford City, PA, has been named
LCBA’s 2016 Fraternalist of the Year!
Several years ago Marcia was diagnosed with cancer and has been
fiercely battling her disease while continuing to serve as a trustee
for our branch. Even though she has been wheelchair bound for the
last several years, she has been able to go back to work at her
floral shop for a few hours each day. Not letting anything limit
her, to our surprise and joy, Marcia managed to attend several
meetings this past year. This is no easy task considering the effort
and support it takes for her to get to the parish office. When she
can’t be there physically, she is often on the phone contributing
ideas and ways she can help.
Service to Others
Marcia has been a long time member of the Ford Cliff Fire
Department Auxiliary. Having held the offices of treasurer and
secretary, she is now the President of the Auxiliary. This
particular auxiliary has done so much for their department and the
community. As a result, the entire auxiliary was inducted into the
Ford City Hall of Fame. She is also a member of the Ford City Hall
of Fame Board of Governors and served as the treasurer from
2011-2015. Marcia was a very active member of the Armstrong County
Herb Group, but unfortunately the group meets the exact same dates
and times as Branch 1425, so she stayed with LCBA.
For over 10 years Marcia was head cheerleading coordinator for
the Ford City Area Youth Football where she supervised 25-30
cheerleaders and organized all cheerleader competitions and
performances. Most parents, once their children graduate from
school, are done with their volunteering duties. The fact that
Marcia continued to work with her community’s youth says a lot about
her love of the town and her dedication to our kids! She was also
instrumental in working with the church to organize its 100th
Anniversary.
Innovative Leadership
Marcia has owned and operated her floral shop “Marcia’s Garden”
since 2002. Since its opening, she has consistently and continually
used her place of business to provide educational and community
opportunities, as well as to spread a bit of sunshine to many other
organizations serving the Ford City area. Marcia saw a need to
provide Head Start children with a variety of learning activities,
so this past year, like many years prior, she invited entire Head
Start classes between the ages of 3 & 5 to her shop. Here, the
children participate in a variety of crafts, lessons about flowers,
and story hours – accompanied by treats she provides. These field
trips are so rewarding and fulfilling for these children, and the
partnership Marcia has formed with Head Start is planning to
continue for many years to come.
She is an innovator when it comes to Ford City’s Light Up Night
each year. She is on the Light Up Committee and in the past, she had
organized a booth to be set up in front of her store where Branch
1425 sold hot dogs, hot chocolate and cookies to raise extra money.
She also helped organize the Santa Claus for kids in December at the
Ford Cliff Firehall. She has donated gift baskets, gift
certificates, flower and centerpieces to many groups in our
community.
Being the owner of a flower shop exposes you to the best and
worst days of people’s lives and the community has formed a unique
intimacy with Marcia because of her excellent care, sympathy and
devotion during these times. This bond and caring really showed when
Marcia needed a wheelchair accessible bathroom put into her home.
Being the modest person she is, initially she kindly refused any
help from organizations wanting to have a fundraiser. However the
outpouring of community support was so great, that she finally
conceded and humbly accepted. It turned out to be one of the biggest
fundraisers our town has ever seen. She is truly loved by all!
