Best of the Week 2019-2020: Holy Cross Values

ST. ED'S AWARDS DIANNE AND TIM NEEDLES '78 WITH 2020 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AWARD

This week, the St. Edward community gathered together for a prayer service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. While mindful of one of Dr. King's most famous quotes, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?," students, faculty and staff took time to reflect on how we, as members of the St. Edward community, can do more to help and serve those around us, to stand up for social justice, and to spread peace. In celebration of Dr. King's life and legacy, St. Ed's annual tradition recognizes a member of our community who has exemplified servant leadership and the legacy of Dr. King. By living up to Dr. King's message to "spread the message of non-violence, love and human dignity throughout our community," the 2020 St. Edward High School Martin Luther King, Jr. Award was awarded to Dianne and Tim Needles '78.

Tim currently serves as the President and CEO of Onix Networking Corporation, a leading cloud solutions provider based in Lakewood whose ever-evolving expertise solves clients' technological issues across many business sectors. In 2014, Dianne and Tim established Onix Outreach, an accredited non-profit organization that assists individuals and families in crisis regardless of their situation. From their very first Million Diaper Drive initiative to helping over 250 families have a meal to share on Christmas Day, Onix Outreach seeks to help meet the everyday needs of those within our community from helping the recently homeless find an apartment, distributing bus passes to those in need of transportation, passing out hats and gloves during the cold winter months to helping those in financial crisis pay their utility bills. As part of the new renovation plans for Onix's Lakewood headquarter offices, space was additionally made for Onix Outreach to house a food pantry and clothing and furniture ministry.

The driving force behind the Onix Outreach's work is how communities can join forces to ignite meaningful change in the world around us. The individual work of Dianne and Tim Needles, plus the mission and charity of Onix Outreach, proves how they are a living witness to servant leadership and this year's school theme, "Go and Do Likewise." Dianne and Tim serve as wonderful examples of Dr. King's dream and our community's Holy Cross values.