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 2022 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 2021 Mayor’s Award Winners

Mayor’s Award for Youth Volunteer Service –

Tahjey Lawson

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 Mayor Patterson honors both a youth volunteer and an adult volunteer.  Meet our 2021 youth award winner, Tahjey Lawson.

Tahjey Lawson resides in Kettering with his grandmother and grandfather, George and Tammy Lawson.  Tahjey attends Kettering Middle School and he is in the eighth grade.  Tahjey’s volunteer efforts are extensive addressing a host of needs in our community spanning a variety of generations.  His efforts include, serving the homeless by collecting coats and blankets (some of which he made); boxing personal care items for front line workers at local nursing homes and hospitals as well as hospitals and first responders in New York; collecting and donating baby items and diapers for Hannah’s Treasure Chest; packing bags with hand sanitizer and snacks for the Kettering Police Dept.; creating and donating get well cards for those at the VA hospital; and he personally raised over $1,000 for the PTA Walkathon at KMS which helped supply snacks during state testing.  Tahjey also served as Secretary to the Junior Optimist Club at KMS.  Most recently, Tahjey was elected Governor of the Ohio District for Junior Optimist International.  His term will start in August.  Tahjey’s nominator stated, “Tahjey has had obstacles throughout his life but he still finds the time to give to others.  I cannot think of any other youth in our community who would be more deserving of this award.”  We could not agree more!

Congratulations Tahjey and thank you for your service.  You are a true role model for our community!

Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Service (Adult) -

Sue Solvig

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 Mayor Patterson honors both a youth volunteer and an adult volunteer.  Meet our 2021 award winner Sue Solvig.

Sue grew up in a military family which took her to California, Florida, Tennessee and Guam.  She is married to her husband Bob and has two daughters, Erica and Rachel, and four grandsons. Sue and her husband spent several years in New York before making the move to our area in 2014.

Sue began volunteering for the City of Kettering in October of 2019.  Up until the pandemic, Sue’s volunteer service included assisting at special events, receptionist’s duties; helping with the nutrition program; and scheduling rides for seniors as part of our senior transportation program at Lathrem Senior Center.

In March of 2020 the senior center closed due to the pandemic.  Sue and other volunteers rose to the challenge by making phone calls to isolated seniors to ensure their wellbeing.  As the pandemic continued, Sue offered to return to help with the senior transportation program.  After making some safety modifications to the office area, she returned in July to assist with this essential program helping Monday through Friday from 8 – 10 a.m.

Sue’s nominator had this to say, “One of the most amazing things about Sue is her ability to truly bond with the clients, listen to them and make feel safe.  She spends hours on the phone talking through pandemic related fears and other issues regarding isolation.  She also talks with family members regarding their loved one’s transportation needs.  She clearly and patiently explains our program to new clients. Sue is gifted with a servant’s heart.  With the changes thrust upon us at the onset of the pandemic, she did not hesitate to offer help with needs in our community demonstrating what “community” is all about!”

Congratulations, Sue!