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 2021 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.
Select this link for the Youth Nomination Form
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.
Select this link for the Adult Nomination Form
Meet our 2020 Mayor’s Award Winners
Mayor’s Award for Youth Volunteer Service –
Bobbi Carnes

The youth recipient of the Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Service is Bobbi Carnes. Bobbi lives in Kettering with her father, Robert. Her family includes her grandmother Kathy, her brother Christian and two sisters, Taylor and Lizbeth. She is a senior at Fairmont High School where she is involved in the National Honor Society and Class Council.
Bobbi’s volunteer service includes mentoring a freshman to ensure a smooth transition into high school; assisting with the MS 5K Walk as well as the Alzheimer’s 5K walk; visits to retirement centers doing crafts and spending time with residents; tutoring fellow classmates and fifth graders; helping with after school care for younger students and helping with food drives. Most recently, Bobbi took it upon herself to go to our local food pantry to make care packages to distribute to tornado victims. She also made cards for children to help motivate them to stay positive during such a hard time.
CONGRATULATIONS, BOBBI!
Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Service (Adult) -
Bob Montavon

The adult recipient of the 2020 Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Service is Bob Montavon. Bob resides in Kettering with his wife Christy where they raised their family. He is President of Resolute Wealth Management, LLC and he is a graduate of the Kettering Leadership Academy Class of 2012.
Bob’s service includes a variety of volunteer roles with a host of organizations spanning over twenty years. It includes coaching baseball for the First Kettering Athletic League; scout leader and scout master with Boy Scouts of America; Oak Creek Swim Team volunteer; Fairmont High School Marching Band volunteer and St. Charles Youth Group volunteer, including summer mission trips. Bob also served on the Kettering Parks Foundation.
Bob is a very active member of the Kettering Dor-Wood Optimist Club where he’s held multiple officer roles, committee roles, and most recently, Lt. Governor for Zone 13 of Optimist International. He also directs Kettering Tri-Star Basketball and is a lead volunteer for Kids’ Day in the Park.
CONGRATULATIONS, BOB!
MAYOR’S AWARD RECIPIENTS | |
2020 | |
Bobbi Carnes | Fairmont High School, Alzheimer's 5k walk, MS 5k walk, Retirement Communities and Dayton Tornado Recovery Efforts |
Bob Montavon | Dor-Wood Optimist Club, First Kettering Athletic League, Boy Scouts of America Scout Leader, Oak Creek Swim Team, Fairmont High School Marching Band volunteer, St. Charles Youth Group, Kettering Parks Foundation, Kettering Tri-Star Basketball and Kids' Day in the Park |
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 |