AWARDS DINNER
September 26, 2024
The NEW Center at NEOMED
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