WAPAKONETA, Ohio (WLIO) — A local woman is being recognized for her dedication to serving others and strengthening her community.
Rachel Barber has been named a 2026 Lee Volunteer Award winner for her extensive volunteer efforts across multiple organizations in Auglaize and Allen Counties.
“I think it enriches your life to give back. You get to meet people you might not otherwise meet in the course of your work day. You get to learn about different experiences, have different perspectives on life, and it's just rewarding,” says Rachel Barber, 2026 Lee Volunteer Award Winner.
Barber contributes her time to several groups in the Wapakoneta area. She serves on the Wapakoneta Waste Minimization Committee, where she works to promote recycling and reduce waste throughout the city.
Barber contributes her time to several groups in the Wapakoneta area.
She is also active with the Auglaize County Historical Society, helping to preserve and highlight the county’s history and its residents. In addition, Barber is involved with the Cincinnati Diocese social action commission.
Barber also serves as secretary of the Wapakoneta Area Ministerial Association, an organization that brings together churches of different denominations to serve the community.
“Having been a church organist since the fifth grade and having had the opportunity to play at many churches, of many denominations, you can see the impact that an individual church has. And yet again, if we all work together, we can get so much more done,” adds Barber.
Beyond her organizational involvement, Barber is known for her outreach to the local Haitian community. She was nominated for the award by Rosalie Stluka, who highlighted Barber’s commitment to helping others.
“She's really taken the Haitian community under her wing, so to speak. It's not just the time she puts in with them, but but the commitment that's so obvious, she goes out of her way to help individual Haitians with any any additional help they need, like with job applications or asylum applications or legal assistance, she tries to link them up with attorneys. She puts a lot of effort into doing whatever they need,” says Stluka.
Barber said her motivation to volunteer comes from a desire to make a positive impact.
“I think it's part of being a human being and living on this planet and knowing that you're going to have an impact on it. Why wouldn't you want the impact to be positive? And especially for those of us in the United States, we have been so blessed for so many reasons, and we have the opportunity to help those who have some challenges,” says Barber.
Barber is one of the recipients of the 2026 Lee Volunteer Award, which honors individuals who go above and beyond in service to their communities.
