AWARDS DINNER
September 26, 2024
The NEW Center at NEOMED
5:00pm
Leaders from across Portage County gathered September 26, 2024 to recognize and celebrate some of Portage County's best and brightest.
Awards were given to nominees in the following areas: Community Hero, Community Improvement, Community Service, Employee of the Year, Health Initiative, and Youth Initiative.
The evening included entertainment, food, and networking.
Tickets were $50/person, $90/couple, or $500/table for eight (8) people and preferred seating.
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets
Please call Todd Peetz at 330-297-3613 for more information, and see our list below for prior winners!
2024 Nominees
Community hero
Jake & Niki Eye
Bernadette Moore
Rebecca Schneider
Marquice Seward
Community Improvement
Adaptive Playground | Aurora
Creafted Artisan Meadery | Suffield
Mallory House | Garrettsville
Mural on Main Street | Ravenna
Community service
All Paths to Recovery | OUR Place
Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Rake & Run | City of Aurora, AHS Interact Club, Rotary Club of Aurora
Employee of the Year
Zack Burns | Windham Jr Sr High School
Dawn Collins | Portage County Solid Waste Management District
Michael Hlad | Brimfield Township
Carolyn Roberts-Linegard | Roberts Conservatory
Dave Rufener | Brimfield Township
Darla Scott | Portage County Juvenile Court
Ryan Wager | Village of Windham
Health Initiative
Mobile Response & Stablization Service | Coleman Health Services
Grief Recovery Method | Kent City Health Department
UH Portage Breast Health Center
Youth initiative
Veteran's Dinner | Aurora Service Learning Class
Restore Eagle Scout Project | Charlie Kamenash
Youth to Youth Hygiene Product Project | Ravenna High School
Great Achievement
Jonathan Floyd
GETTING THERE
Located at the NEW Center at NEOMED
4211 OH-44 Rootstown, OH 44272
2023 Winners
Community Hero Award - Deseree Liddell
Community Improvement Award - Ravenna High School | Honors Civics Program
Community Service Award - The Socially Responsible Sweatshop
Employee of the Year Award - Tim Whittlesey | Atwater Township
Health Initiative Award - Food for Life Market | University Hospitals Portage Medical Center
Youth Initiative Award - Za'Nya Henderson | Windham High School
2022 Winners
Community Hero Award - Edie Benner
Community Improvement Award - Mila's Hope and Rowyn's Dreams Playground
Community Service Award - Open Arms Adoptions
Economic Development Award - Buckeye Quality Meats
Health Initiative Award - CIT Coordinator & Mental Health Outreach, Mental Health & Recovery Board and Coleman Health Services
Youth Initiative Award - Mission: Hope & Housing, Theodore Roosevelt High School DECA Project
2021 Winners
Community Improvement Award - Restoration 44 Coffee Shop
Community Service Award - Portage CARES Community Food and Supplies Drive
Economic Improvement Award - Independence of Portage County New Operations Center
Health Initiative Award - Children's Advantage Family Center
Pandemic Initiative Award - Portage County Health District
Youth Initiative Award - Comprehensive Case Management & Employment Program
Community Hero Award - Jane Palmstrom
2019 Winners
Best Economic Development Initiative - Ravenna7
Best Community Service Initiative - Raven Packs
Best Cultural Arts Initiative - THRIVE
Best Healthy Communities Initiative - HOPE Program
Best Student Initiative - Streetsboro Community Connect
Community Hero - Leon Jankowski
2018 Winners
Best Economic Development Project - Chestnut Commerce Center, Ravenna Facility Renovation
Best Community Service Project - Passages, Fatherhood Celebration
Best Arts and Culture Event - Portage County Randolph Fair
Best Health Initiative - Drug Prevention Campaign, Portage Substance Abuse Community Coalition
Most Engaging High School - Crestwood High School, Junior-Senior Seminar
Community Hero - Direct Support Professionals, Independence, Inc.
2017 Winners
Best Economic Development Project - Sirna & Sons, Ravenna Facility Expansion
Best Community Service Project - Duma Meats, Kansas Wildfire Relief Effort
Best Arts and Culture Event - Ravenna Art On Main
Best Health Initiative - NEOMED Free Clinic
Most Engaging High School - Kent Roosevelt High School, Summer English-As-Second-Language Program
Community Hero - Scott Snyder, Hero's Rock
2016 Winners
Best Economic Development Project - Pyrotek (Metaullics Division), Aurora Manufacturing Facility
Best Community Service Project - Kent Brunch Bunch Charity Auction
Best Arts and Culture Event - Ohio Chautauqua, Brimfield Historical Society
Best Health Initiative - Project DAWN, Portage County Health District / Mental Health & Recovery Board
Most Engaging High School - Field High School Little Free Library
Community Hero - Paul Ferder, Kent Mold & Manufacturing
2015 Winners
Best Economic Development Project - NEOMED Education and Wellness Center
Best Community Service Project - Health Professions Affinity Community (HPAC)
Best Arts and Culture Event - Kent Heritage Festival
Best Health Initiative - Portage County Safety Council
Most Engaging High School - Aurora High School Service Learning Project
Community Hero - Patti Harjung, Brimfield Police Department
2014 Winners
Best Economic Development Project - Catacel Corporation
Best Community Service Project - Root House
Best Arts and Culture Event - Mantua Art on the Hill
Best Health Initiative - Ravenna City Schools Personal Improvement Program
Most Engaging High School - Aurora High School Independent Learning Experience
Community Hero - Kathleen Schuman, City of Streetsboro