LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — "Just have always loved staying involved and making the community a better place," and that's always been his motto. Chad Hughes started his volunteering endeavors early in life.
"When I was nine years old at the Allen County Fair, I was the big Moorice the Cow. In high school, started the Allen East "Stang Gang," where we made T shirts, and all the money that was raised by selling those shirts was used for things for the students in need," says Chad Hughes, a 2026 Lee Volunteer Award Winner.
His love for being a positive light in the community only kept growing. During his college years at the Columbus College of Art and Design, Hughes volunteered with the student programming board and the Columbus Urban League. After college, he came right back home to his roots, and Hughes picked up where he left off.
"And then, moved home. Stayed active with the fair the entire time. Work with "Night to Shine," which is a special all abilities prom. I am very active with the Auglaize Township Historical Society in Harrod, so we raise funds to protect and preserve the history of Auglaize Township. We take care of the Shay locomotive and the caboose that sits in Harrod. We also have the Veterans Park here in Harrod as well that we take care of, and then we have a pretty extensive archives in the Bank Building," Hughes adds.
When nominating Hughes for the Lee Volunteer Award, Keri Jones wanted to highlight his long-lasting significance to a community he has always called home.
"Chad has been very significant in our community for a long time. I definitely feel blessed to live in a community that Chad has given so much of himself into. I'm very happy to call Chad a friend. I'm very proud of all of the things that he's done for the community. I'm proud to know him," says Keri Jones, who nominated Hughes for the Lee Volunteer Award.
No matter which project he is working on, Hughes' mission is to showcase the history of his home.
"I think it's always important to highlight, you know, our history, which is a big part of what I do, but also shine a light on people that are less fortunate, or, you know, look at just having people have fun things to do," Hughes says.
And through his work, Hughes strives to shine a positive light on Lima, the place he has always called home.
"I like to focus on positive things that bring, you know, a shining light to our community, and just highlight how important and special Lima's history is and how important and special it is still today," Hughes says.
