Community Recognition

The Ray Thomas Community Service Award

MCCF-The-Ray-Thomas-Community-Service-Award

"When you treasure your community, you create a community treasure." -Ray Thomas

The Ray Thomas Community Service Award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to our community through service. The Award is named after MCCF Founding President, Raymond W. Thomas.

Individuals and organizations are invited to nominate community volunteers from Muskingum County to receive The Ray Thomas Community Service Award. The volunteer should have been instrumental in the success of one particular organization or community project.

The award winner names a local charitable organization to receive a $1,000 grant from the Muskingum County Community Foundation.

Any individual or organizational representative who wishes to enter a nomination for the award may obtain a nomination form online or by calling the Foundation at (740) 453-5192 during March each year. The Foundation's Distribution Committee selects the award winner.

The recipient is recognized at the Muskingum County Community Foundation's Annual Donor Recognition and Awards Celebration. A plaque recognizing all past winners hangs in the Community Foundation's lobby.


Previous Recipients
  • 2011 - Linda Regula
  • 2010 - Tom and Margaret Quinn
  • 2009 - Carl "Mick" Archer, Donald McKendry

    Carl "Mick" Archer was awarded the prestigious Ray Thomas Community Service Award in May 2009 at Park Central for his fifty years of service with the Dresden Fire Department where he has served in various capacities.

    The Dresden Volunteer Fire Department received a $1,000 grant from the Muskingum County Community Foundation in Archer's honor. Archer was presented a plate crafted by the late Ray Thomas, Founding President of the Muskingum County Community Foundation.

    In 1959, Carl Archer became a member of the Dresden Volunteer Fire Department--in 2009, he was honored with the 50-year member award from the department. During his service, Archer has been instrumental in ensuring that the Dresden Volunteer Fire Department is one of the top departments not only in the area, but in the state of Ohio. Because of his hard work and dedication, thousands of dollars in grants have been awarded to the department, millions of dollars in property have been saved through the combined efforts with other volunteers, and the Dresden Volunteer Fire Department has maintained highly-trained volunteers who spend countless hours for the benefit of the Village of Dresden and Muskingum County. He is not only an exceptional volunteer, but also a fine role model.

    Carl Archer was named Captain of the Dresden Volunteer Fire Department in 1968; he obtained his Emergency Medical Technician certification in 1970, was voted First Assistant Chief in 1979, and named Chief in 1998. When Carl Archer retired from his job at American Electric Power, he made the decision to devote more time at the fire station repairing and maintaining equipment, applying for numerous grants to help fund the department, assisting with training, recruiting new members, working fundraising events, or helping with school tours of the station.

    After a recent fire, in the very late hours of the evening/early hours of the morning, Archer chose to take a fire department member who was slightly injured to the hospital rather than sending him with a squad member--knowing he would be in the emergency room missing much needed sleep the remainder of the night, and return to the scene of the fire in the morning for investigation.

    In his award nomination, nominator Terri DeVault stated that Archer never any complains about fifty years worth of hours that have been spent at the station, meals that were left uneaten on the dining room table, hours of sleep missed, or the number of fire and squad runs he has made. In 2008, he was the top responder for the department, responding to 368 of the 543 total runs the department made. DeVault describes Archer using Ray Thomas's words, "When you treasure your community, you create a community treasure."

    "In this case, Carl Archer has helped to create an outstanding volunteer fire department, and in the process the community has found a true treasure in Carl Archer," DeVault said.

    Don McKendry of New Concord was awarded the Ray Thomas Community Service Award at Park Central for service to the John and Annie Glenn Museum Foundation.

    In honor of McKendry's service, MCCF presented The John and Annie Glenn Museum with a $1,000 grant from the Muskingum County Community Foundation, which McKendry opted to donate back to the Foundation in order to start an endowment fund for the museum. McKendry was presented a plate crafted by the late Ray Thomas, Founding President of the Muskingum County Community Foundation. Carl Archer was also honored with the Thomas Award for his work with the Dresden Volunteer Fire Department and was featured in our July installment of Focus on Philanthropy.

    According to nominator Dr. Lorle Porter, McKendry was instrumental in assembling the Board of Trustees for the Museum Foundation. He is also the key contact person between the organization and the John and Annie Glenn family. The Village of New Concord had a long range plan including the development of a museum honoring the lives of John and Annie Glenn, but the Glenns did not wish for such a museum to be constructed. Don persuaded the Glenns to consider the idea by pointing out that they had lived one third of American History and that Senator Glenn's boyhood home could be used to teach valuable lessons about this country during the Great Depression and during World War II.

    The launching and initial success of the Historic Site was achieved under McKendry's direction, with a majority of the operating funds raised under his guidance. Although now retired from his post as executive director, Don continues to work for the success of the site and help it prepare for the future

  • 2008 - Kristy Szemetylo
  • 2007 - Sally Ruggles
  • 2006 - Dr. Lorle Porter
  • 2005 - Dr. Anita and Jerry Jackson, Stephanie Kline, Judy Rebic, Dorothy Renner
  • 2004 - Muskingum County Health Department Volunteer Physicians; Carol Boyse and Sandy Kopf; John and Dorothy Montgomery
  • 2003 - Wally Moore, Charlie White, Bart Hagemeyer, Kate Hagemeyer
  • 2002 - Bob Grayson, Tim Hartmeyer, Franklin B. Thomas
  • 2001 - Kathy Rowan Brantley, Mary Ann Bucci
  • 2000 - Neal Arnold, Betsy Thomas
  • 1999 - Anne Hoffer, Richard Spring
  • 1998 - Loren Ross, Trudye Bonar, Mollie Crooks
  • 1997 - Ronald A. Bucci, Dr. Hazel L. Butterfield, George W. Sharp
  • 1996 - Jennifer Masterson, Tara Thompson Poorman, Diana H. Stubbe, Kathy Rowan Brantley
  • 1995 - Ray Thomas, Carole Donley, Tim Longstreth

The Bob Beam Award

MCCF-The-Bob-Beam-Award

The Bob Beam Award is presented to an individual or organization that has made extraordinary efforts in support of the Muskingum County Community Foundation. The award is presented from "time to time" when such recognition is appropriately earned. The award is named for J. Robert Beam, third President of the Community Foundation and Founding Trustee Emeritus whose dedication to the Foundation's progress from 1987 to 2014 was remarkable and commendable.


Previous Recipients
  • 2009 - Dr. William Stewart for his service to the Foundation's Scholarship Central and GEAR UP programs by teaching ACT Preparation classes to local students.

    Representatives from the Community Foundation presented the 2009 Bob Beam Award to Dr. William Stewart in May 2009 for his service to the Foundation's Scholarship Central and GEAR UP programs. Dr. Stewart received a chestnut wood box made, by Ray Thomas, from a beam of a former Muskingum County school house.

    For more than 10 years, Stewart conducted SAT/ACT test preparation classes in his home for local high school students. Meanwhile, Scholarship Central Access Program was consistently contacted by local students seeking assistance with standardized test preparation, most often the ACT. In 2007, Dr. Stewart began offering free ACT Preparation classes through Scholarship Central and GEAR UP at the Muskingum County Community Foundation offices. Through these classes, Dr. Stewart met with more than 330 students and contributed 82 hours of his time.

    Students who participate in the ACT Prep Classes average a two point increase on their composite score per class. Students who participate in this ACT preparation program receive an ACT test prep book. Students from his classes have been admitted to more competitive colleges and have received more financial assistance due to his efforts. He is helping the Community Foundation improve the quality of life in our community by assisting students and future residents to attend college.

    Stewart has received degrees from MIT, Ohio University, The Ohio State University, and Muskingum College. He was an award-winning professor in engineering management at Purdue University in the 1980s, where a scholarship was established in his honor by a former student.

    Stewart is president and chief operating officer of Stewart Glapat Corporation.

    In addition to his service to Scholarship Central and GEAR UP, he is involved in local education in a number of other ways, including serving as a trustee at Zane State College, teaching physics part-time at Ohio University-Zanesville and AP Calculus at Zanesville High School. He is a registered professional engineer and a licensed teacher in math, physics, and integrated science.

  • 2007 - Tom Lyall who spent countless hours devising financial reports that made comprehensible the complexity of community foundation fund accounting.
  • 2006 - Gottlieb, Johnston, Beam, and Dal Ponte for its fine pro bono work on behalf of the Foundation.

The Dick Johnson Civic Leadership Award

MCCF-The-Dick-Johnson-Civic-Leadership-Award

The Dick Johnson Civic Leadership Award is presented to an individual who exhibits exceptional civic leadership in the tradition of Dick Johnson. Dick Johnson is known for his entrepreneurial spirit, his philanthropic example, and his leadership in civic life.

The purpose of the award is threefold: to recognize the achievements of the recipients, to honor the work of Dick Johnson, and to encourage others to become future recipients of the award.

The Award is a permanent fixture in the lobby of the Muskingum County Community Foundation, engraved with the name of each recipient. Each recipient receives a smaller version of the award.

The Dick Johnson Civic Leadership Award is awarded each year at the Community Foundation's Groundhog Day Celebration.


Previous Recipients
  • 2019 - Tom Sieber
  • 2018 - Thomas M. Lyall
  • 2017 - Dr. William T. Stewart and Charles T. Stewart, Jr.
  • 2016 - Larry Triplett

    Larry Triplett co-founded Resource Systems, a healthcare software company, in 1980 immediately upon graduating from Muskingum College. He and his business partner, Greg Adams, built the company over a period of 31 years in which it became the premier provider of documentation software for the nursing home industry. It was on Inc. magazine’s list of the fastest growing companies in the nation. The company was acquired by Cerner Corporation in 2011 and continues to operate in New Concord, Ohio.

    In 2004 Triplett was instrumental in forming the Muskingum County Business Incubator (MCBI), a non-profit business incubator that helps businesses expand, creating jobs and opportunities for people in the region. He served as Chairman of its board from 2004 to 2014 and now serves as its Executive Director.

    In 2011 Triplett helped found the East Central Ohio Tech Angel Fund, a private/public collaborative that helps Southeastern Ohio’s entrepreneurs find private equity investors. The fund has been recognized as one of the best performing angel investment funds in the nation.

  • 2015 - Mark Moyer

    Mark Moyer was named the recipient of the 2015 Dick Johnson Civic Leadership Award. This award was established by the Muskingum County Community Foundation (MCCF) in 2000 at the suggestion of Bob Kessler to honor the impact of Dick Johnson, a successful businessman, philanthropist and civic leader. The Community Foundation presents the award annually to individuals who share the rare combined outstanding achievements as entrepreneurs, community leaders and philanthropists.

    Moyer has spent the past 16 years serving on various boards, first at Good Samaritan Hospital and then for Genesis HealthCare System. He also has served as a trustee and president of the Bishop Rosecrans High School Foundation and trustee and board chairman of Bishop Rosecrans High School. He has served on the Genesis finance committee since 2004.

    Moyer is the senior resident director at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and senior partner of The Moyer Group in Zanesville. He noted that business and community service tend to push and pull each other. “It really is impossible to know where your business interests start and your community service ends and vice versa,” he said. “We are Merrill Lynch when we walk out the door.”

    Moyer said the people he has met through his service and the lives he has helped change have been more than worth it. He encouraged everyone, no matter what their skill sets and talents are, to get out and help serve the community.

  • 2014 - Clay Graham

    Clay Graham has gained success as both an attorney and a businessman. He excelled in academics and in sports at Zanesville High School, where he graduated in 1973. Clay continued his academic and athletic success in college In 1977, he graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Economics from Denison University, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. It was at Denison that Clay met his future wife Alice Davis. After Denison, both attended Ohio State University where he received his J.D. from the Moritz College of Law.

    In 1981, Clay returned to Zanesville and joined the family law firm of Graham & Graham Co., L.P.A. that was established in 1923. As an attorney, Clay has served as the firm's Managing Partner and chief trial counsel.

    He has also been active in national, state and local professional organizations including the Muskingum County Bar Association (President, 2007). He is a life member of the U.S. 6th Circuit Judicial Conference. Members of Grace United Methodist Church, Clay and Alice are also active in various social and civic organizations and avid supporters of Ohio State University.

    Clay serves the following diverse businesses as a Principal and Executive Chairman: Shelly and Sands, Inc.,Buckingham Coal Company,The Graham Auto Group,The Burley Clay Products Company, American Ceramic and Clay Co. (ACCCO) and Valley Clay Mining Co. and is also a leading shareholder and director of the North Valley Bank. Clay has become a member of many professional business organizations serving automobile, asphalt and aggregates, construction, community banking, coal and ceramics interests at both the state and national levels.

    Clay and the entire Graham family have had a positive impact on the economic and civic life of our region that goes beyond the enterprises that they own. Their support has been a leading and critical component in the success of the Muskingum Recreation Center and the creation of the Zanesville Prize for Contemporary Ceramics.

  • 2013 - Rob Joseph

    Rob Joseph has been a successful businessman in his family’s four-generation business: Muskingum Iron and Metal. His family and family business have long supported many community projects and charitable programs. Both Rob and his brother Jack have to act upon the deeply held belief of their parents Arthur and Shirley in giving back to the community. Rob has been the leader in the Muskingum Recreation Center Campaign since April of 2007 when he convinced his fellow Trustees of the Community Foundation that their involvement was the only way Zanesville would ever have a new recreation center. The Community Foundation followed Rob’s lead and joined with Ohio University Zanesville, the Family Y and Genesis Healthcare System to raise the money for the new recreation center to be located on the Ohio University Zanesville campus.

    The Joseph family was represented at the event by Jack Joseph’s family, Rob’s wife Elaine, and his two sons, Frank and Dick, who introduced Rob.

  • 2012 - Bill Straker

    Bill Straker, his wife Mary Helen Straker, and their children have positively affected the lives of all residents of Muskingum County. The J. W. and M. H. Straker Charitable Foundation, established in 1994 and led by Susan Straker Holdren, has given $1.6 million to capital improvement projects in our community.

    The Muskingum County Community Foundation has benefited greatly from the Straker family. The Strakers established a family fund and lease (at no cost) the Community Foundation its building. The Community Foundation took on a new role with Bill Straker's creation of the Scholarship Central program that has enabled thousands of students with local scholarship opportunities, helped families obtain grants and loans, and has promoted the expectation of attendance at college to the residents of Zanesville and Muskingum County.

    The movie "It's a Wonderful Life" comes to mind when thinking of the Bedford-Falls-effect the Bill Straker family has had upon the Zanesville area. It is only that Bill Straker is award-averse that has delayed recognition of his extraordinary career. Bill Straker's success in business gave him the opportunity to encourage the sparking of human potential through his philanthropy. The tradition of leadership in philanthropy continues into the next generations of four children, six grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and two great granddaughters.

  • 2011 - Randy Coconis

    Randy Coconis grew up working in his family's furniture business. Under his leadership, Coconis has helped grow and expand the business from six to 60 employees, whom he also credits for his success. He is a 25-year member of the Zanesville Sertoma Club, having served as its President and Chairman, and received the Sertoman of the Year award. Coconis has also been a member of FFA for 20 years. Coconis is a past Trustee of the MCCF and the Founder of the Coconis Family Endowment Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation.

    His foundation work also includes sponsorship of the Kevin Martin Youth Foundation Three-Point Program. He served as a volunteer fireman for the South Zanesville Fire Department and as a South Zanesville Village Councilman for eight years. He belongs to the American Red Cross and has donated mattresses to the organization for fire and flood victims, as well as tons of cardboard to be used for recycling at Goodwill Industries. He also has provided assistance to other nonprofit organizations, schools and athletic programs.

    Coconis also is a 15-year member of the Genesis Pro Am Golf Committee, as well as founder and co-chairman of the Tee it Up for Autism Golf Tournament played each June at the Zanesville Country Club.

  • 2010 - Richard H. McClelland

    Dick McClelland, a leading Muskingum County businessman, received the Dick Johnson Civic Leadership Award at the Muskingum County Community Foundation's Twenty-fifth Anniversary Groundhog Day Celebration on January 29, 2010 at the Zane State College/Ohio University Campus Center.

    The Dick Johnson Civic Leadership Award is presented annually to a Muskingum County business person who has had great positive impact upon the community in three distinct areas: generosity in contributions to charities and nonprofit organizations, leadership in civic engagement and success in business.

    Dick McClelland was raised in South Zanesville and graduated from South Zanesville High School in 1956, three years before it became part of the Maysville School District. He graduated from Muskingum College in 1960 and began working for Shelly and Sands. After he served two years in the army, he returned to Shelly and Sands. He served as its President from 1973 to 2004.

    In 1968, he married his wife Joyce. The couple has three grown children--Erin, Michael, and Jennifer--and six grandchildren.

    In addition to his brother Jack, Dick has a sister Gayla who lives in Columbus and a deceased brother Joe. .

    In addition to his ownership of OK Coal, Dick owns Eaglesticks Golf Course and Restaurant and is chairman of McClelland Inc. He and his wife Joyce are both active in the standardbred horse business.

    McClelland's business leadership has extended well beyond the borders of Muskingum County. He was elected and served as President of the Ohio Contractors Association, one of the three largest such organizations in the United States. After his service, he was honored with induction into its Hall of Fame.

    Another statewide organization, the Flexible Pavements Association of Ohio, the group representing Ohio's asphalt contractors, awarded McClelland its highest honor, the Bill Baker Award.

    In local service to Muskingum County, McClelland is the current President of the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority. He also serves on the TID (Transportation Improvement District) Board.

    A longtime member of the Sertoma Club, McClelland has performed unpublicized philanthropic service to the community as well as provided assistance to nonprofit organizations and local charities.

  • 2009 - Dan Hennessey
  • 2008 - Robert D. Goodrich, II
  • 2007 - Robert and Leona Fellers
  • 2006 - William F. Randles
  • 2005 - Robert Kessler
  • 2004 - John Matesich
  • 2003 - Carroll Fink
  • 2002 - Norma "Dorbie" Littick
  • 2001 - Jack Downing
  • 2000 - Dick Johnson

The Brian T. Wagner Community Leadership Award

MCCF-The-Brian-T-Wagner-Community-Leadership-Award

The Brian T. Wagner Community Leadership Award was established by the Muskingum County Community Foundation Council to honor individuals between the ages of 18 and 55.

A nominee may be someone who has successfully led a special volunteer project or has a long history of volunteer service.

The nominator must submit the online form expressing why the nominee should be selected for the award. Nominations for the award are accepted until December 13, 2019.

The award recipient is recognized each year at the Foundation's Groundhog Day Celebration. Winners of the award choose their favorite nonprofit organization to receive a $1,000 grant from the Community Foundation.
Nominate View Announcement


Previous Recipients
  • 2019 - Stacey Russell
  • 2018 - Ryan A. Moyer
  • 2017 - Chris Zemba
  • 2016 - Joey Pennybaker Osborn

    Zanesville resident Joey Pennybaker Osborn was honored with the 2016 Brian T. Wagner Award. Osborn graduated from Philo High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from Denison University and her master’s degree from Muskingum University. She has worked with non-profits from the Muskingum County area, including MCCF and Eastside Community Ministry, since college. In 2015 she was elected to serve on Zanesville City Council as an at-large representative.

    Osborn is a 2003 graduate of Leadership Muskingum and a 2010 graduate of the JoAnn Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute. She volunteers for Muskingum County 4-H, Zanesville Daybreak Rotary, MCCF, the Women of Achievement Steering Committee, and many other organizations.

    She and her husband, Sam, own Osborn Photography and are restoring a home in the McIntire Historic Neighborhood. They have three children: 3-year old Andie and 1-year old twins, Samuel and Reese. Joey’s parents are Freda Pennybaker and the late Jack Pennybaker.

  • 2015 - Bethany Hayes

    Bethany L. Hayes, a New Concord resident, serves as Director of Public Safety and Assistant Director of Facilities at Ohio University Zanesville and Zane State College. Her law enforcement career spans 14 years.

    MCCF Council selected Hayes based on her strong record of community service in Muskingum County. Hayes said she is committed to volunteerism, combining her profession as a public servant with her personal dedication to helping others. “I volunteer as much as possible, using my profession as a vehicle, to educate children and adults, agencies, and organizations to keep them safe and informed against potential harm that could arise,” Hayes stated.

    She added that she leads by example for others to follow. “I believe it is important to give back to the communities I work and reside in,” she said. “It would be extremely unfortunate not to seize an opportunity to help someone else if we have the ability to do so.”

    Hayes has voluntarily led several free public workshops for Muskingum County residents on deterring crime, educating and ensuring personal safety, and emergency management planning. She started conducting “Stranger Danger” events in 2011, aimed at educating children. She actively presents ALICE sessions for “Responding to Critical Incidents and Active Killer Situations.” This training is geared toward schools and workplaces, preparing them to respond to and survive violent encounters. She also offers self-defense and awareness sessions for women. Thousands of local adults and children have participated in these outreach programs.

    In July 2014, Hayes planned and coordinated the first Multi-Agency Response Drill for Muskingum County involving more than 250 attendees from eight counties. The event, which simulated an active shooter incident on campus, was hosted by Ohio University Zanesville and Zane State College and involved various local law enforcement agencies and other first responders.

    Hayes has been an active auxiliary police officer with the Village of New Concord since 2000 and has donated more than 300 volunteer hours to the department in the past two years. She is an Executive Committee member of the Muskingum County Sexual Assault Response Team and Rogge Foundation Muskingum County Community Engagement Recreation and Sports Group. She also serves on the Leadership Muskingum Alumni Committee, the Emergency Management Association, and is a Homeland Security Terrorism Liaison Officer for Ohio.

    In addition, Hayes has been a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2013 and currently is a big sister to a 12-year-old girl. From 2007-2009 Hayes organized fundraising events for a “Back to School” program providing book bags full of school supplies to New Concord Elementary School for children in need. She has taken part in the “Shop with a Cop” program with the New Concord Police Department, helping provide presents for underprivileged kids at Christmas. She also has participated in many “Talking with a Cop” discussions with local preschools in the New Concord area.

  • 2014 – Jessica McCulloch

    Jessica McCulloch was recognized for her efforts in founding the Warrior Families Beating Spina Bifida Foundation in 2011. She created the WFBSB in cooperation with other mothers who desired to see their children rise above the expectancy of the doctors and conquer spina bifida. WFBSB was created to not only provide information about spina bifida, but also to provide financial support to all families who are dealing with this illness who need help paying for treatments and therapies, etc., that are not covered by insurance or are not available in the U.S.

    According to McCulloch, WFBSB families have all experienced miracles in their children and want to see it happen for everyone. It is vital that families keep updated on the progress of treatment options that are available throughout the world. WFBSB's motto is Knowledge is Power! WFBSB has so many generous families that are very willing to help in any way to change the lives of many who suffer from spina bifida, including donating old equipment (wheelchairs, braces, walkers, etc.) to others in need who are having a hard time getting doctors to support their desire to help their child walk. WFBSB's main goal is to be able to provide grants to all families who are seeking therapies, treatments, equipment or anything they need on their path to beating complications of spina bifida.

    Jessica's daughter Ava Grace was born Oct. 1, 2008, with spina bifida and other issues that came with it. Ava has overcome all odds and accomplished so much that the doctors said she wouldn't be able to do. Recently, she received non-embryonic stem cell treatments in China and is gaining sensation in her legs, wiggling toes more and walking further in her braces. She feels her lower legs and is able to stand more flat-footed; on her left foot especially.

  • 2013 – Dan and Karen Vincent

    Karen retired in 2012 after nearly 35 years at the Muskingum County Recorder’s office, 16 of which were as the elected County Recorder. Her community leadership and service did not cease with her retirement: she currently serves on the United Way Board, Salvation Army Board, Genesis Advisory Brand and as Carr Center Cake Auction, Co-Chair (2012 & 2013).

    Her past services include volunteer service for Operation Feed, Lace Up for Kids Sake, the Muskingum County Community Foundation Council, the Beaux Arts Club and the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board. Karen has also been active at the state level as an Executive Committee Member and Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President of the Ohio Recorders’ Association as well as a member of the Ohio Council of County Officials. Both she and her husband Dan are members of Grace United Methodist Church which Dan has served as Trustee and on the Administrative Board.

    Dan has a rich history of service to his community and his profession while taking on increasing responsibilities at Genesis Health Care System over the past 27 years in Nursing Administration as a Project Consultant and now as an Education Consultant. He serves on the Nursing Advisory Boards for Ohio University Zanesville, Central Ohio Technical College (Chair) and the Mid-East Career and Technology Center. He has been elected twice as President of Zanesville City Council, which he has served for six terms. Dan has taken his passion for helping other people to a city-wide engagement in making a better community for the people of Zanesville.

  • 2012 – John and Leilani Delbert

    The Delberts' story began when John introduced the idea of becoming a "Big Family" in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program to his wife and three daughters. Without hesitation, the entire family jumped onboard.

    John, Leilani and their three girls, Peyton, Adrienne, and Paige, were matched with their Little Brother Bryan in February 2005. From the very beginning, Bryan fit right in with his Big Family. The Delberts included him in weekly family activities, from dinner to game nights to shopping, camping, and just hanging out. The family helped nine-year-old Bryan learn to tie his shoes, memorize his address, and complete his school work. They also enabled Bryan to experience his first Easter egg hunt, hockey game and scavenger hunt. In September 2005, the Delberts and Bryan were recognized as Big Brothers Big Sisters Match of the Year.

    Over the years, the Delbert children have continued their family's legacy by becoming school-based Big Sisters at John McIntire Elementary. Recently, the family's commitment to their Little Brother took a major turn. Bryan's Mom confided to the Delberts that Bryan was getting into trouble at school and was concerned he was headed down the wrong path. It was jointly decided Bryan would move in with the Delberts, and John became his guardian.

    Today, Bryan's teachers compliment his improved behavior and positive attitude. Bryan's grades have gone from Ds and Fs to straight As. He is no longer angry and talks about how happy he is. The Delbert family has turned the Big Brothers Big Sisters goal to change lives for the better, into reality for one young boy who is growing into a responsible, caring citizen.

  • 2011 - Jody Spencer

    Jody Spencer is the ninth recipient of the Wagner Award. Employed as Vice President and Trust Officer at Century National Bank, Spencer has a lengthy record of volunteer leadership in many local organizations. Organizations which he serves or has served as a Board Member include: Goodwill Industries, The Carr Center, South East Area Transit (SEAT), and the Muskingum Valley Old-Timers Association.

    He currently serves as Vice President of the SEAT Board and is a Past Board President. For the Old-Timers Association, he served as Secretary and President of the Board, and as a coach for 20 years.

    Spencer also serves on the United Way Investment Committee, on the City of Zanesville Incentive Tax Review Council, the Muskingum County Incentive Tax Review Council and as a Board Member at Westwood Baptist Church.

  • 2010 - Nan Nolder

    According to her nominators, Linda Huston and Brenton Baker, Nolder has become "an instrumental leader in the Zanesville/Dresden area who has reached out to our community to find ways she could serve and better the lives of children."

    Much of Nolder's work has benefited the Tri-Valley Community. She has been President of the Dresden Elementary PTO for the past three years and has volunteered every Monday at Dresden Elementary School. Through her leadership, the financial resources of the PTO have quadrupled.

    The other four work days Nolder works as the Treasurer's Assistant at the Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center. Prior to her present position she was Internal Auditor at Greif Brothers Corporation in Delaware, Ohio, and Senior Auditor at KPMG, Columbus, Ohio.

    An accounting major, Nolder graduated in 1992 from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science degree cum laude in Business Administration and became a Certified Public Accountant.

    As a stay-at-home wife and mom from 1997 to 2006, she was active with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), served as Secretary of the Tri-Valley Youth Soccer Association, and volunteered as the chair of many committees of the Jefferson Elementary PTO.

    Nolder is President-Elect of the Zanesville Arsenal Soccer Club where she has brought the same passion for soccer that she exhibited in the Tri-Valley District here she was instrumental in solidifying the growing Tri-Valley Youth Soccer Association.

    Nolder lives on the Muskingum River with her husband Jerry and her two sons Grant (12) and Greg (10).

    As a Wagner Award Recipient, Nolder had the opportunity to select a local non-profit agency to benefit from a $1000 grant from the Community Foundation. Nolder decided to split the money between the Animal Shelter and Genesis Healthcare Foundation for women's health.

  • 2009 - Susan Montgomery McDonald
  • 2008 - David Morrow
  • 2007 - Tedd Murphy
  • 2006 - Steve Randles
  • 2005 - Brian T. Wagner, Hank Littick, Julie Biles

Community Links

Donate