Lillian Gibson, of Clairton, is 92 years old and still doing volunteer work.

That's why she was an obvious pick of the awards committee planning a "Hats Off to Mom" luncheon, fashion show and awards ceremony that will be held at noon Saturday at the G&K Banquet Hall in West Mifflin.

The luncheon is being sponsored as a fund-raiser by Sisters Place Inc., an agency that provides housing in Clairton to homeless single mothers and their children.

"Mrs. Gibson was the choice of every member of the committee. She was known by everyone for her goodness," said Sister Mark Parks, executive director of Sisters Place.

Mrs. Gibson, who sits on the planning committee for Clairton Meals on Wheels and who also coordinates the food bank advisory committee at Carver Hall, where she lives in an apartment, doesn't see what all of the fuss is about.

She said she has participated in volunteer work for her entire adult life in Clairton because it's what God asks in the Second Commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself.

"We have to help one another," said Mrs. Gibson, who entered nursing school at age 51 and then worked for more than 22 years as a licensed practical nurse at St. Francis Hospital. She retired in 1990.

She is one of four "outstanding mothers" who will be honored at the luncheon, the first held by Sisters Place. The guest speaker will be former KDKA news anchor Jennifer Antkowiak.

In the past, the agency held an internal celebration for the mothers in its program. But this year, Sisters Place administrators decided to make the event a public fund-raiser to try to make up for the loss of some federal funding, Sister Parks said.

In addition to Mrs. Gibson, the other awardees are Evon Scott, a former teacher and administrator in the Clairton School District, and the late Edith Nesti, who was a charter member and served on the board of Clairton Meals of Wheels.

The fourth award will go to one of the mothers currently being served by Sisters Place. She has not been identified.

Mrs. Scott is an active member of the Morningstar Baptist Church, where she is a deaconess, member of the missionary society, assistant director of the Junior Church and a Sunday school teacher.

Mrs. Scott is also active in the NAACP, the National Education Association and the Pennsylvania State Education Association. She is receiving the award for "being like a mom" to so many children throughout her life and career, Sister Parks said.

Mrs. Nesti, who died in November at the age of 101, worked as a tin flopper for the American Sheet and Tin Plate Co. and later co-owned a sewing business. Among her three children is the Rev. Donald Nesti, former president of Duquesne University.

Mrs. Nesti was known in the community for crocheting afghans that she sent to hundreds of friends and others in health care facilities.

She was also an active volunteer at her church, St. Clare of Assisi, and a member of the Clairton Garden Club.

Tickets to the event are $20 and can be purchased by calling 412-233-3903 or e-mailing info@sistersplace.org. The deadline for purchasing tickets is tomorrow.