Thank you to our Founders Award Winners!
They are very special people who exemplify what it means to make sure everyone has a place to call home.
Bob Lazarus Unsung Hero Award
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
Upper Arlington Rotary Club & Tri-Village Chamber
2016
Esteemed Recipient
Harmony Project
Harmony Project
2013
Esteemed Recipient
Ice Miller + Lusk Architects + Franklin County + Stowe Baptist Church
Ice Miller + Lusk Architects + Franklin County + Stowe Baptist Church
2012
Kim Stands
City of Columbus
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
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
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
L Brands Foundation
2015
Esteemed Recipient
Ice Miller
Ice Miller
2014
Robert Lazarus, Jr.
2013
Esteemed Recipient
WBNS-10TV & the Dispatch Printing Company
WBNS-10TV & the Dispatch Printing Company
2012
Chad Jester
2011
Michael C. Mentel
2010
Barbara Poppe
2009
Esteemed Recipient
Grange Insurance
Grange Insurance
2008
William Wright & Robert Lazarus, Jr.
2007
Esteemed Recipient
The Columbus Foundation & Columbus Jewish Foundation
The Columbus Foundation & Columbus Jewish Foundation
2006
Esteemed Recipient
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
2005
Hulanda Stacy
2004
Esteemed Recipient
Franklin County Board of Commissioners
Franklin County Board of Commissioners
2003
Esteemed Recipient
United Way of Central Ohio
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
Schottenstein, Zox and Dunn Co., LPA
1999
Nancy Jeffrey
1998
Esteemed Recipient
Faith Community
Faith Community
1997
James I. Luck
1996
Frank Wobst & Huntington National Bank, Sara Neikirk
1995
Esteemed Recipient
Nationwide
Nationwide
Nancy Jeffrey Advocate Award
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
Racism & Homelessness Committee
2015
Susan Weaver
Community Housing Network
Community Housing Network
2014
Esteemed Recipient
LSS Faith Mission
LSS Faith Mission
2013
Esteemed Recipient
Winter Overflow Team: YMCA of Central Ohio, Ice Miller, Lusk Architects, Franklin County, Stowe Baptist Church
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