The United Way of Greater Lima, The Lima News, Your Hometown Stations, Cenovus, Milano Café and Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center work cooperatively to bring the Lee Volunteer Awards to Lima/Allen County and its contiguous counties. The local program began in 2025 to continue honoring local volunteers to continue the spirit of the national Jefferson Awards program, which ceased operations in early 2025.
From all nominations submitted, up to five adult applications and up to three youth applications will be selected as 2026 finalists. The selections will be made by a panel of area leaders and past Jefferson Awards winners. Each winner will receive a Jefferson Awards bronze medallion at a banquet on April 22, 2026.
The family of Alberta Lee, a civic leader who believed in volunteerism and public service, sponsors the monetary awards for the five adult finalists, who will each receive $500 for the nonprofit of their choice. James E. and Sandra Monfort (both past winners) are the monetary sponsors for up to three youth finalists, who will each receive $250 for the nonprofit of their choice.
The local adult winner will receive an additional $500 for the organization for which they volunteer (for a total of $1,000), and the local youth winner's organization will receive an additional $250 (for a total of $500).
Nomination deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2026.
Click here to download the nomination form, or fill it out on Google Forms.
Eligibility
Individuals of all ages may be nominated for the Jefferson Awards. Groups are not eligible, however, individuals from groups may be nominated. The exception is that married couples or two people who have worked closely on a project may be nominated together.
The volunteer work must be done in the following counties: Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Hancock, Putnam or Van Wert. The volunteer must reside in one of those six counties.
As of 1/1/2026 an individual who is over the age of 19 will be eligible for the adult award, and any youth 18 and under will be eligible for the youth award.
Individuals are not eligible for cash awards.
Cash awards must be made payable to qualifying non-profit organizations registered with the Ohio Secretary of State or be a political subdivision of the state as described in 107 (c)(1), such as a public school or government agency. If the organization for which the winner volunteers is not eligible for a cash award, another qualifying agency may be selected.
Past finalists and winners are eligible for re-nomination five years after their original nomination.
Volunteer service may be performed on work-release time or for student course credit.
