MANSFIELD – The principles of love, patience and perseverance embodied in Joe and Miriam Perri were celebrated in Richland County Juvenile Court on Friday.
Unbeknownst to them, the Perri’s were the recipient of the “Love Never Fails” award from Judge Ron Spon, given to celebrate their extraordinary service and commitment to struggling youth in the community. They arrived to court on Friday amongst a full house of family and friends wishing them well.
After more than two decades on the bench, Judge Spon said he’s come to realize the battle in his juvenile courtroom is not just about the law or ethics, but often between light and darkness. He called Joe and Miriam “soldiers of light.”
“The battle we have is ultimately between love and the total absence of love; between hope and hopelessness,” Spon said. “I’ve never met a young person in 24 years who wanted to be a criminal, or wanted to be a problem. Children need discipline and someone to show them the way.”
The “Love Never Fails” award was created by Spon in 2000 and named in the memory of its first recipient, Bernice Murphy. The judge now periodically recognizes individuals in Richland County who exemplify Murphy’s character and “never-give-up” attitude toward at-risk and struggling children.
While still utilizing professionals like psychologists, teachers and probation officers, Spon said he still comes back to fundamental reality that a child needs nurtured.
“My work here is not ultimately about coercing good behavior, but growing something good,” Spon said. “When you grow something good in the life of a child, it bears fruit for a very long time.”
Spon said he has seen great fruit born from the Perri family. One of those “fruits” was present on Friday to offer his own testimony: Carmine Whitmore said the Perri’s took his son in while he himself spent time in jail during his first years in Mansfield.
“This man and woman became family to me,” Whitmore said. “I’ve watched Joe and Miriam, who I love more than life itself, help people they don’t know. And they have not left my family in 15 years.”
To this day, Joe and Miriam have become “grandma and grandpa” to Whitmore’s son. In fact, the two families live just across the street from each other.
“They are the most consistent people I’ve ever seen, and they don’t ever ask for anything in return,” Whitmore said. “They have been a rock to my family. Without them, I would be lost.”
Many times, speakers mentioned Joe’s work with Sports World Ministries, an organization that brings prominent professional athletes to speak and encourage youth. Spon noted that Joe has been instrumental in bringing the program locally to Juvenile Court’s detention center and area school assemblies.
Dr. Paul Dove, after sharing his own memories of Joe and Miriam, read aloud a letter to Joe from Sports World CEO Devon McDonald, a former linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts.
“I am glad God saw fit to give honor where honor is due, and definitely you guys are deserving of this,” the letter read. “You are living legends to so many people of selfless service. One day we believe you guys will hear the Savior say, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.’”
Spon presented Joe and Miriam with a plaque commemorating their honor. They will also have their names engraved, along with past award recipients, on a perpetual plaque that is displayed in the Juvenile Court.
For the Perri’s themselves, they were just about speechless.
“This is very humbling, and I appreciate all of you,” Miriam said. “We can’t do anything, but Jesus in us can work. It’s wonderful to know some people have been touched, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be a vessel used by Him.”
“At Sports World, in the school we tell kids they’re not born a winner, they’re not born a loser but they’re born choosers,” added Joe. “It’s wonderful to be a servant of the most high God. I thank him for his grace that he shows Miriam and I every day.”
