Past Awards

Thank you to our Founder Awards Winners!

They are very special people and organizations who exemplify what it means to ensure everyone has a place to call home.

Bob Lazarus Unsung Hero Award

2025

Kyra Crockett Hodge
Huckleberry House

2024

Sherrell Johnson
Treats 4 the Streets

2023

Columbus Coalition for the Homeless

2022

Fred Rieser
Jordan’s Crossing Resource Center

2021

Medical Partners

2020

Bobbie Garber & Hal Keller

2019

Trent Smith

2018

Esteemed Recipient
Upper Arlington Rotary Club & Tri-Village Chamber

2016

Esteemed Recipient
Harmony Project

2013

Esteemed Recipient
Ice Miller + Lusk Architects + Franklin County + Stowe Baptist Church

2012

Kim Stands
City of Columbus

2011

Douglass White, Citizens Advisory Council + Jessica Wichtman, YWCA of Columbus

2010

Sheila Prillerman, Citizens Advisory Council + Erika Clark Jones, City of Columbus Office of Homeless & Social Service Advocacy

2009

Esteemed Recipient
Jacci Graves, Citizens Advisory Council + World Harvest Church & Bible College

2008

Robert Schilling, Urban Restorations + Tiffany White, community volunteer + Dave Simmons, Citizens Advisory Council

2007

Gene Pierce, Pierce Communications, Inc. + Bruce Garrard, Citizens Advisory Council

2006

Ronald Baecker, Citizens Advisory Council + Michael C. Mentel, Columbus City Council

2005

Andrew F. Farley, Citizens Advisory Council + Michelle Morgan, Franklin County Department of Job & Family Services

2004

Gregg Banks, Netcare Corporation + COHHIO Youth Empowerment Program

2001

David Hadley, Volunteer, YWCA Interfaith Hospitality Network + Sheila Prillerman, Citizens Advisory Council

Mel Schottenstein Leadership Award

2025

Barbara Benham
Huntington BancShares, Inc.

2024

Timothy Miller
Retired, Crane Group

2023

American Electric Power Foundation

2022

The Honorable Shannon G. Hardin
Columbus City Council

2021

Matthew Habash
Mid-Ohio Food Collective

2020

Commissioners Marilyn Brown, John O'Grady, & Kevin L. Boyce

2019

Douglas F. Kridler

2018

Mayor Andrew J. Ginther

2017

Steve Steinour, Tom Feeney, & Mary Lazarus

2016

Esteemed Recipient
L Brands Foundation

2015

Esteemed Recipient
Ice Miller

2014

Robert Lazarus, Jr.

2013

Esteemed Recipient
WBNS-10TV & the Dispatch Printing Company

2012

Chad Jester

2011

Michael C. Mentel

2010

Barbara Poppe

2009

Esteemed Recipient
Grange Insurance

2008

William Wright & Robert Lazarus, Jr.

2007

Esteemed Recipient
The Columbus Foundation & Columbus Jewish Foundation

2006

Esteemed Recipient
JPMorgan Chase & Co.

2005

Hulanda Stacy

2004

Esteemed Recipient
Franklin County Board of Commissioners

2003

Esteemed Recipient
United Way of Central Ohio

2002

Mayor Michael B. Coleman

2001

Matthew D. Habash & the Mid-Ohio Foodbank

2000

Esteemed Recipient
Schottenstein, Zox and Dunn Co., LPA

1999

Nancy Jeffrey

1998

Esteemed Recipient
Faith Community

1997

James I. Luck

1996

Frank Wobst & Huntington National Bank, Sara Neikirk

1995

Esteemed Recipient
Nationwide

Nancy Jeffrey Advocate Award

2025

Shelter Providers Network
Community Development for All People, Huckleberry House, Lutheran Social Services, Maryhaven, Southeast Healthcare, YMCA of Central Ohio, and YWCA Columbus

2024

Esteemed Recipient
Nathan Smith Logistics

2023

Homefull

2022

Robert “Bo” Chilton
IMPACT Community Action

2021

Tony Collins
YMCA of Central Ohio

2020

Christie Angel

2019

Paul Coleman

2017

Esteemed Recipient
Racism & Homelessness Committee

2015

Susan Weaver
Community Housing Network

2014

Esteemed Recipient
LSS Faith Mission

2013

Esteemed Recipient
Winter Overflow Team: YMCA of Central Ohio, Ice Miller, Lusk Architects, Franklin County, Stowe Baptist Church

2012

Cheryl Brewer, Homeless Families Foundation + Tonja Schweickart, Housing Specialist + Art Helloerfer, Jeff Hogle, Jim Kerr, & Amanda Owen – YMCA Overflow

2011

Jim Rose, Capital Crossroads & Discovery Special Improvement Districts + Karl Stromeier, LSS Faith Mission + Jessica Wichtman, YWCA Family Center

2010

Renna Abdullah, Salvation Army + Gladden Prevention Team, Sheila Prillerman, Citizens Advisory Council + Marcus Salter, Lutheran Social Services - Faith Mission on 8th Avenue

2009

Tom Stofac, Lutheran Social Services + Stable Families Team, Communities in Schools + Beth Fetzer-Rice, Salvation Army

2008

Steven Atwood, Southeast, Inc. + John Bickley, YMCA of Central Ohio + Joni Ogle, YWCA Columbus

2007

James Alexander, Engagement Center at Maryhaven + Program staff of Homeless Families Foundation: Erin Maus, Todd Lewis, Cheryl Brewer, Monica Morgan, Stephanie Jordan-Smith + Susan Weaver, Community Housing Network

2006

Karen Deberry, Volunteers of America + Julane Goodrich, YWCA Columbus + Jeff Hogle, YMCA of Central Ohio + Sandra Stephenson, Southeast Inc. + Mike Tynan, Community Housing Network

2005

Colleen Bain Gold, YWCA of Columbus + Stephanie Jordan-Smith, Homeless Families Foundation + Ronald Smith, Commons at Grant + Blaine Turner, Friends of the Homeless

2004

Denise Cornett, Commons at Grant + Sue Green, Southeast, Inc. + Kara Hill, Salvation Army + Maryhaven Outreach Team + Jeana Patterson, YWCA Columbus

2002

John Bolden, Volunteers of America + Chynia Dickerson, Maryhaven + Eileen Kirsch, Homeless Families Foundation + Harold Martin, Take It to the Streets + Anthony Penn, Community Housing Network + Tony Williams, Faith Mission

2001

Karen Fields, Columbus Neighborhood Health Center, Inc. + Art Helldoerfer, YMCA of Central Ohio + Martha Smith, Friends of the Homeless + Wilhelmina Spinner, Catholic Social Services

View Current Award Winners