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.

Adult and youth Mayor’s Award nominations are accepted all year. Awards are presented during National Volunteer Week. 

Nominate someone by using the forms below.

Mayor’s Award: Youth Nomination Form

Mayor’s Award: Adult Nomination Form

Meet our 2019 Mayor’s Award Winners

Mayor’s Award for Youth Volunteer Service –

Sasha Whitaker

Sasha Whitaker is a senior at Fairmont High School. Her family includes her mother, Andrea Kannedy; father, James Whitaker; step-mother, Kelly Whitaker; and half-sister, Jessa Whitaker.  Her current volunteer efforts include:

Dayton Honor Flight where she reports to the airport at 2 a.m. on flight days to greet veterans and provide assistance for the trip.  She also returns in the evening to welcome them home.  At the age of 16, Sasha served as a flight guardian for two veterans, one of which was wheelchair bound.

She is also an active SISCA foster. She responds to requests to pick up animals and the supplies to care for them, on a moment’s notice.  Without her help, these animals might never have the chance for adoption.

Sasha lost her grandmother to ALS.  Since 2005 she’s participated in Dayton Walk to Defeat ALS.  For the past several years, she’s been a member of the planning committee.  She has many responsibilities including helping with event set-up and securing donations.

She has also been a student council member in both middle school and high school.  She is a member of National Honor Society, a peer tutor, and she’s volunteered at the Kettering Early Childhood Education Center.

Sasha plans to attend The Ohio State University in the fall to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education.

CONGRATULATIONS, SASHA!

Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Service (Adult) –

 Rick Moreton

Volunteer Rick Moreton, is married to Stephanie and they reside in Sabina which is a 53 mile commute one way to the City of Kettering. They have one son, Austin. He works part-time at a Nike store near his home.  He began volunteering for Kettering in 2013. To date, he has donated over 1350 hours of service.  His volunteer work includes helping with the city’s Christmas Day Open House at Polen Farm, greeting guests at Fraze Pavilion, and assisting visitors at the Kettering Connection. Rick also generously provides guidance to city staff on matters of adaptability and inclusion.

One of Rick’s nominators had this to say about his work at Kettering Connection, “Many of the people visiting Kettering Connection are desperate for help with very difficult situations.  Several have lost spouses, friends and even children.  Rick is comfortable enough to discuss the sad times as well as celebrate the good times.  He creates a positive and welcoming atmosphere.”

When Rick was asked why he drives so far to volunteer with the City of Kettering he stated, “There is no better place to serve.”  Rick always makes an effort to promote activities and events sponsored by the City.

Another nominator stated, “Rick is a very caring individual.  He has a great sense of humor and a strong desire to help others.  Rick is an inspiration. He overcomes obstacles, and chooses to live his life fully.  I am so grateful to have shared the past six years with this gentleman and watched how, in spite of his challenges, he uses his gifts to be of service to others and ensure that each person he comes in contact with feels valued.”

CONGRATULATIONS, RICK!