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 2023 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 2022 Mayor’s Award Winners
Mayor’s Award for Youth Volunteer Service –
Chloe Adkins
The Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Service was created in 1983 as a way to honor outstanding volunteers who are making valuable contributions to the community through volunteer service in a wide variety of categories. Recipients of this award must either be a resident of Kettering or the volunteer service should be performed in Kettering. Each year the Mayor honors both a youth volunteer and an adult volunteer. Meet our 2022 youth award winner, Chloe Adkins.
Youth Volunteer, Chloe Adkins, is a third grade student at Indian Riffle Elementary. At only nine years old, Chloe has demonstrated a level of empathy and compassion beyond her years. For the past four years, Chloe has volunteered with her brother, Jake, at the Kettering Backpack Program. During this time, she has prepared thousands of bags for children in need of food. Following a school lesson where she learned of a young boy facing homelessness, Chloe organized a program called “Kind Cakes”. This program collects birthday cake supplies to prepare kits that are supplied to shelters and food pantries. This provides a way to celebrate birthday milestones in situations where they typically do not occur.
During these efforts, Chloe was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma and still continued to pack bags and make cake kits between treatments and hospital stays! When the good news came that she was cancer free, Chloe again found a way to pay it forward. Chloe received blood transfusions during her treatments. When she learned about the critical need for blood due to shortages, she responded by helping to organize blood drives--one of which is this Thursday, April 14, at Town and Country Shopping Center. Please consider participating in this drive, or in a number of other drives throughout our region.
One of her nominators had this to say about Chloe: “In my 24 years of teaching, I have never met anyone like Chloe. Even though I am her teacher, she has taught me more than I could ever teach her.”
Thank you for being an inspiration and outstanding role model for all generations, Chloe!
Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Service (Adult) -
Karen Sejas
The Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Service was created in 1983 as a way to honor outstanding volunteers who are making valuable contributions to the community through volunteer service in a wide variety of categories. Each year the Mayor honors both a youth volunteer and an adult volunteer. Meet our 2022 award winner, Karen Sejas.
Adult Volunteer, Karen Sejas, retired after 25 years of service to the City of Kettering in November 2011. While an employee, Karen served in both the Human Resource and the Finance Departments. After retirement, Karen wasted no time jumping back in to continue her service to the City the following year--this time in a volunteer capacity. Her volunteer efforts are concentrated in the Administrative Systems and Human Resource Departments. Over the past 10 years, Karen has given over 2,300 hours of service to help scan, shred, organize files, lend expertise and help with archives. In addition to her willingness to continue to learn new skills and help wherever needed, she brings encouragement and compassion to everyone she works alongside.
Her nominators have this to say about Karen: “Karen deserves the Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Service for her unwavering, dependable, loyal, valuable contributions to our Departments. She gives tirelessly and is the most conscientious volunteer one could hope for. She brings with her expertise, energy, enthusiasm and commitment, and consistently delivers high quality work. She is always willing to share her knowledge. Karen’s loyalty and dedication to the City make her a valuable volunteer and team member!”
Thank you for your ongoing dedication and passion for helping the City, Karen!
| MAYOR’S AWARD RECIPIENTS | |
| 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 |