The inaugural Lee Volunteer Awards announced finalists honoring adults and youth who make significant community contributions.
Top winners will be revealed at a community dinner April 22 at the Veterans Memorial Civic Center.
From
To
Following the end of the National Jefferson Awards for Volunteerism last year, the family of Alberta and Richard Lee has stepped forward to ensure a local volunteer recognition program continues.
The 2025 Jefferson Award winners from our region were recognized Tuesday night at a banquet inside the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center. The 2025 Jefferson Awards Gold Medal winner was Betsy Potts with the Veterans Food Pantry of Northwest Ohio.
It's that time of year to start thinking about recognizing someone in your life who has gone above and beyond helping others. Nominations are now being sought for the 2025 Jefferson Awards for Public Service. The national award was started in 1972 and has grown into a recognition program that highlights the volunteer service of thousands of individuals and organizations across the nation. Locally, more than 200 people have been Jefferson Award recipients since its start here in 2001. Each year one person is picked to move on to the national level.
The 9 Jefferson Award winners were recognize for their selfless work they do for West Central Ohio.
The annual Jefferson Awards banquet was held to honor people in the community who commit their times to public service. Retired police detective Eddie Monfort was the overall winner for this year.
They are volunteers and many agencies and organizations couldn't manage without them. Nominations are now being sought for the 2023 Jefferson Awards for public service. We all know someone that fits the bill of always saying yes when asked to help or the person that steps up in a time of need. This recognition is open to adults and youths in Allen, Auglaize, Putnam, Van Wert, Hardin, and Hancock Counties. Winners not only get a medallion but also a monetary donation to a non-profit of their choice.
The awards were handed out to the winners, and they were given a chance to speak about the time that they have given to their communities and the people living there. They were also given $350 to go towards supporting their charity of choice.
Ann Miles is all about giving back to the community, whether it be elected to positions on Lima City Council and Lima School board, doing God’s work at the One Church, or sitting on numerous agency boards in the community. Including the board for the United Way, where Ann has also served as a past campaign chair.
"Someone is here to help": that's the message that Mary Jane Mullenhour wants to spread to every person that goes through the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, support group. Mullenhour has lead the local NAMI support group for several years; in fact, it's a passion for helping those who are dealing with mental issues that has driven Mullenhour to give her time for others for over 45 years.