Mayor's Award
Established in 1983, the Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Service honors outstanding volunteers who are making valuable contributions to the community through volunteer service in a wide variety of categories such as health, recreation, arts, environment, education, public safety, civic service, or human service. Recipients of this award must either be a resident of Kettering, or the volunteer service must be performed in Kettering. The volunteer activity can be in a structured setting or on an informal basis. Groups are also eligible to apply. Awards are presented by our mayor at a city council meeting in April during National Volunteer Week. One adult and one youth are honored with an award.
Use the links below to nominate a volunteer for the 2025 Mayor's Award. Adult and youth Mayor's Award nominations are accepted all year. Awards are presented during National Volunteer Week.
If the volunteer is 12 through 18 years of age, select the youth nomination form below. If the volunteer is 18, only use the youth form if they are still in high school.
If the volunteer is 18 years of age or older, select the adult nomination form below. If the volunteer is 18, only use the adult form if they are graduated from high school.
Meet our 2024 Mayor’s Award Winners
Mayor’s Award for Youth Volunteer Service
Sophia Shenk
Sophia is a senior at Alter High School who has been highly involved as a volunteer, both in her school and throughout the community. She graduates in May, and plans to attend Miami University majoring in Political Science.
Some of Sophia’s volunteer work has been contributed to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, St. Vincent de Paul, Learning Tree Farm, Girls Scouts, as an Alter Student Ambassador, as a Hope Squad peer facilitator, and as Co-Chair of the Key Club among others. During her high school career, Sophia has volunteered over 400 hours all while maintaining an impressive 4.2 GPA while taking AP and Honors classes.
Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Service (Adult)
Peggy Spencer
Peggy Spencer has been a longtime volunteer at Greenmont Elementary School. When her son and grandchildren attended Greenmont, Peggy actively volunteered with the PTA, coordinating fairs, fundraisers, and prepared Friday Folders. Although her son and grandchildren have long-since left Greenmont, Ms. Peggy still happily and tirelessly prepares daily and weekly materials for teachers. She creates folders, makes books and booklets, staples packets, sharpens the paper cutter, un-jams the copier, laminates, cuts out letters, shapes, and pictures, and hand-delivers finished items to classrooms. She often takes projects home to complete, collects recycling throughout the building, helps in the cafeteria, sooths nervous students on picture day, and even assists with kindergarten registration. In fact, Ms. Peggy is such a familiar smiling face to students at Greenmont, that many students lovingly call her "Nana."
In addition to all the volunteer work she does for the teachers, students, and staff daily at Greenmont, she is also the sole caretaker for her aging father, and manages his appointments, household repairs, and meals.
| MAYOR’S AWARD RECIPIENTS | |
| 2023 | |
| AnnaBelle Hacker | Alter High School student and President of Key Club. AnnaBelle has volunteered over 150 hours of her time. She has volunteered in Appalachia, coached youth volleyball, volunteered at the Habitat Environmental Center, promoted the GEM Project as a member of Hope Squad. AnnaBelle was a leader on the senior retreat and has given many hours to Key Club activities. |
| Al Fullenkamp | Former Assistant City Manager and City Engineer of the City of Kettering, Al still continues to serves his city. Al enjoys a role as a mail courier, collecting & delivering batteries for recycling, staying active with the Great Miami River Watershed Project, and serves on the RTA Board of Trustees. In addition, Al serves as the chair of the Kettering Sister Cities Committee and is a member of the Kettering Development Corporation. |
| 2022 | |
| Chloe Adkins | Indian Riffle Elementary School student; Chloe Adkins has volunteered for Kettering Backpack Program for four years making countless bags for those in need. Chloe created an initiative called Kind Cakes which provided cake supplies to families in need with which to celebrate birthdays. She was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma and continued volunteering. With a clean bill of health, Chloe began organizing blood drives in response to blood shortages. |
| Karen Sejas | Former HR Manager for the City of Kettering has volunteered more than 2,300 hours since her retirement. Karen assists the Human Resource Department and Administrative Systems. She scans and files countless records to ensure City archives are in perfect condition. |
| 2021 | |
| Tahjey Lawson | Kettering Middle School student; collected and donated baby items to Hannah’s Treasure Chest; serves as secretary and soon to be Governor of Ohio District for Junior Optimist Int’l; prepare personal care items for front line pandemic responders; created cards for veterans and made blanket for the homeless |
| Sue Solvig | Scheduled rides for the senior transportation program at the Lathrem Senior Center during the pandemic; made calls to check on seniors during the pandemic, and built a rapport with callers struggling with isolation |
| 2019 | |
| Sasha Whitaker | Fairmont High School, Dayton Honor Flight, SICSA foster, planning committee in Dayton Walk to Defeat ALS, student council member, volunteered at the Kettering Early Childhood Education Center |
| Rick Moreton | Helping with the city’s Christmas Day Open House at Polen Farm,greeting guests at Fraze Pavilion, and assisting visitors at the Kettering Connection |
| 2018 | |
| Lauren Dalton | Dayton Regional STEM School, Girl Scouts, Preschool camp at Boonshoft Museum and instructs gymnastics for young children at South YMCA |
| Sue Ellen Boesch | Kettering Arts Council, PRCA Advisory Committee, Art on the Commons, UD Libraries Advisory Committee |
| 2017 | |
| Theodore Hale | Fairmont High School, assists Main and Central Unit offices at school, Fairmont Unity Garden, helps with Holiday at Home float, assists an older gentleman recovering from cancer regain strength |
| Damian Foster | Sinclair Community College/Fairmont High School, office assistant, assists a Fairmont Industries student through the Buddy System |
| 2016 | |
| Andrew Waker | Alter High School, Key Club, assists with various activities with Dor-Wood Optimist Club, helps with Down’s syndrome children and adults, numerous fundraisers for St. Vincent De Paul and March of Dimes |
| Bill & Marynel Bradley | Christmas Day at Polen Farm, Speed Watch, Neighborhood Watch, Compost Cops, Holiday at Home, Kettering Noon Optimist Club |
| 2015 | |
| Elizabeth Janess | Alter High School, Key Club, Kettering and Dayton Children’s Hospital, Mission trips to Guatemala, Summer Bible Camps, Peer Minister |
| Zach Lawhorn | Kettering Middle School, Art Club Buddies |
| 2014 | |
| Kalliope Bessler | KMS, Hannah’s Treasure Chest, serving food at St. Vincent’s Soup Kitchen Greek Festival and the Oktoberfest, teaching children weekly at church |
| Courtney Hemmelgarn | Fairmont High School, Peer Mediator, Tutor at Indian Riffle, The House of Bread, Clothes that Work, assists elderly neighbors with yard work at Central Presbyterian Church – youth group leader, sings in the choir, helps in the nursery and assists with Vacation Bible School |
| 2013 | |
| Emily Herting | Fairmont High School |
| Allie Smith | Alter High School |
| 2012 | |
| Rachel Ramey | Oakwood High School – Christ United Methodist Church |
| Meagan Burian | Alter High School |
| 2011 | |
| Jessica Wuensch | Fairmont High School, MLK & Kettering Youth Council |
| Jordan Hibner | Alter High School Key Club, We Care Arts 7 Juvenile Diabetes |
| Chuck & Carol Dickerson | Neighborhood Pride |
| 2010 | |
| Alic Brock | Fairmont High School, Dayton Street Ministry |
| 2009 | |
| Emily Fleitz | MLK Breakfast & Fairmont United Student Body |
| Lauren Ignozzi | Senior/Senior Prom, Alter Key Club |
| 2008 | |
| Caroline Smith | Fairmont High School Student Council, Greenmont Oak-Park Food Pantry |
| 2007 | |
| Catie Gmeiner | Alter Key Club & SADD |
| Kyla Morgan Young | Fairmont High School, Radio Director WKET |
| Alan and Mary Kay Feller | Christ United Methodist After School Program |
| 2006 | |
| Opal Leo | CIL, City of Kettering |
| Ralph Andrews | City of Kettering, Disabled Swimming Program |
| Alter Key Club | 60 Non-Profit Organizations |
| Amber Mitchell | Fairmont High School, Junior Optimist |
| 2005 | |
| Ashley Timmons | Fairmont High School, DECA, National Honor Society |
| Dr. Goodwin | Boy Scout Troop 236 |
| 2004 | |
| Larry Schlea | City of Kettering Volunteer Program |
| Tyler Back | Fairmont High School, WKET-FM |
| Katie Scocozzo | Fairmont High School, National Honor Society |
| Erin Vannatta | Alter High School peer Ministry |
| Zac Sideras | Fairmont High School, Kettering Youth Council |
| 2003 | |
| Fairmont Industries | Plant Flowers, One Lincoln Park |
| 2002 | |
| Jean Collins | CIL Nutrition Program, City of Kettering |
| Nicole Van Scyoc | KMS, Safety Village |
| 2001 | |
| Frances Rasnake | Kettering Medical Center |
| STAND | Students Taking a new direction |
| 2000 | |
| Robert Spaulding | Initiated and manages volunteers who restore artifacts at the U.S. Air Force Museum at WPAFB |
| John McClelland | City of Kettering, Vehicle Maintenance Center |
| Ron Wilson | City of Kettering P&D, Fraze, Scrapbook |
| Katybeth Mannix | Van Buren Middle School, Power of the Pen & City of Kettering |
| 1999 | |
| Bob Barr(posthumously) | Community activities far too numerous to mention |
| Alter High School Key Club | A variety of activities in the community including help with cleaning up parks, collecting food for the needy, working with youths, helping with seniors and raising money for various charities. |
| Matt Deppen | Donated extensive services for the construction of the State Farm Park concession stand as well as volunteered for EKRC and Holiday at Home |
| Anita Rankin | Extensive volunteer service with the American Red Cross for more than 25 years, specially excellent work with the International Relief and Development Program. |
| 1998 | |
| Fairmont High School National Honor Society | 67 seniors donate hundreds of hours in a variety of ways,including tutoring students. |
| Bill Greger | Extensive volunteer work with KPD and Con 21 rescue. As well as televising City Council meetings and a variety of activities for The Maria Joseph Council of the Knights of Columbus. |
| Bill Spencer | Many activities including work at the DePaul Center, St. Vincent Hotel, Franciscan Medical Center, K of C and Sister City. |
| 1997 | |
| Dottie Cromer | Extensive volunteer service for the South Community YMCA, including administrative work, organizing events and helping with The Indian guide/princess program |
| Sarah Hoskinson | Many activities at Van Buren Middle School, including student Council president, junior optimist co-president, peer tutoring, fund raising and activities at Far Hills Baptist Church youth group |
| Edmund Trissell | Donated countless hours photographing all major events of the Kettering-Moraine Historical Museum and provided all materials for their photographic library free of charge. |
| Lucille Graham | A variety of volunteer activities through Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and in the community |
| 1996 | |
| Kettering Council of PTA s | Establishing and maintaining the Kettering Clothing Room |
| Vipul and Disha Patel | Outstanding students involved in many leadership and extra-curricular activities at Fairmont High School and active in community organizations |
| Citizen Police Academy Alumni | Organization a volunteering group to assist the Kettering Police Department in a multitude of ways. |
| 1995 | |
| Dor-Wood Optimist Club | Extensive volunteer activities with area youth |
| Carey Roth | Many activities at Fairmont High School and in the community including SADD |
| Genny Cook | Extensive service as an City of Kettering volunteer and at Christ United Methodist Church |
| Youth Sports Organizations |
|
| 1994 | |
| Noreen Long | Kettering Jaycee activities and Holiday at Home concessions |
| Nikki Van Nest | Many activities at Fairmont High School and related Projects |
| Janet Bolton | Sister City activities |
| Jean and Paul Shank | Coordinate Fraze volunteer ushers and work with Neighborhood Pride Awards Committee |
| 1993 | |
| J. Richard Lawwill | Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, Parks Foundation |
| Jon Moodie | Youth Service Award, Eagle Scout Projects |
| Bonnie and Ed Anderson | English as Second Language Program in Kettering Adult School |
| Kettering Fairmont AfterProm Committee | Providing a safe activity for youth after the prom |
| Nat Goff | Heartland of Kettering Nursing Home |
| Ruth and Lloyd Grodrian | Kettering-Moraine Museum and Historical Society |
| 1992 | |
| Barbara Clark | Kettering Morning Glories Adult Skating Team |
| Dale Neibert | Boy Scouts, Kettering YMCA, education |
| Melinda Brewer | Youth Service Award, tutors handicapped students |
| Walter Pettit | Sister City, Kettering-Oakwood Exchange club tutors |
| Kettering and Suburban Senior Citizens | Provide one day of recreation to 1,000 seniors per month plus other activities |
| 1991 | |
| Bill Albery | Volunteer firefighter, Youth Baseball |
| Dan DeBrosse | Youth Volunteer, Big Brothers/Big Sisters |
| Lucille Bollinger | C,I.L., Nutrition, Bingo |
| Richard Crandall | Miami Valley Boy Scouts Council, Habitat for Humanity |
| 1990 | |
| Linda George | Neighborhood Pride |
| Harold Trigg | Kettering Amateur Baseball Commission |
| Katherine Quinlan | Developmental Center for Handicapped |
| Pat Mastbaum | Holiday at Home, many City committees |
| 1989 | |
| Adopt-a-Family Program | DESC employees |
| Dale Kress | Christmas Day, many City committees |
| John Wurst | Technology Assistance Panel, delegate to RTA |
| Paul Doty | Kettering Sister City, Kiwanis Club |
| Jean Armstrong | Kettering – Moraine Museum, many City committees |
| Betty Huden | City Volunteer in Planning and Police Department |
| 1988 | |
| Miriam Leonard | FISH – Education – Hunger |
| Jerry Barnett | Education, Dorwood Optimist, many City committees |
| Glenn Compton | Uncle Sam, many City committees |
| Michael Schumacher | Volunteer firefighter – trains recruits |
| Donald Hibbs | Kettering Sister City, Rotary Club - Kettering/Moraine Museum |
| 1987 | |
| Joe McCloud | Dorwood Optimist, Kettering YMCA, Oak Creek Church |
| Chester Roush | School Board/many City committees |
| Walter Hush | Volunteer firefighter paramedic education |
| Eleanor Fariello | Holiday at Home, Kettering Parks Foundation |
| 1986 | |
| Tom Spettel | Boy Scout Leader/Trainer (National) |
| Earle Bates | City of Kettering volunteer for Police Department |
| George Lehman | Involved in many community activities |
| Arlone Campigotto | Volunteer tutor in Public Schools |
| Robert Rohr | Volunteer firefighter |
| Paul Hendrickson | Beautification Committee |
| 1985 | |
| Virginia Kress | Beautification, Volunteer committees, Christmas Day |
| Danny Combs | Volunteer firefighter/coach and bus |
| James Earl Jones | Cable TV |
| D.P&L | Lighting in Parks by Volunteers |
| William Webb | Kettering YMCA – soccer in junior high |
| Jane Shimmin | Girl Scout Leader at group home |
| Roger Kemp | Youth Sports, Pee Wee Football Coach |
| 1984 | |
| Oleta Vorhis | Provides Christmas dinners for Police and Fire |
| Rita Cookson | PTA Council/clothing room |
| Valerie Andrews | Chamber of Commerce |
| Virginia Tuvell | Kettering Moraine Historical Society |
| Linda Courtney | Channel 16/Fund raising |
| Thomas Farmer | Kettering Sertoma, Kidney Foundation |
| Jane Jancauskus | Development Center for Handicapped |
| Dres Fox/Nancy Allen | Big Brothers/Big Sisters |
| 1983 | |
| Terry Schalnat | Church/Christmas project |
| Alberta Prather | Kettering and Suburban Senior Citizen – Pilot Club |
| Doris Hinders | Development Center for Handicapped |
| Forest Stewart | City of Kettering volunteer and Kettering Hospital |
| Paul Shartle | Civic Band |
| Bernard Wannemaker | Volunteer firefighter |
| Edward Fowler | Youth Sports |
| Keith Prentice | Andrea Bales/Clay Bates, Theatre Under Stars |
| Osa Reese | Church, Senior Citizen, FISH |
| Janette Thomas | Kettering Hospital |
| Robert Neitman | RTA representative |