Dr. Gene Wright retired in 2001 after 43 years in Family Practice. As a family practitioner, Dr. Wright has always gone the extra mile to improve access to health care. The Health Clinic Dr. Wright saw as critical to the community means that everyone in Allen County has the opportunity to receive good health care. This has raised the spirits of the entire area, reflected in new economic development in an area that has seen none for many years.

Beverly McCoy has spent her life as an educator. After years as a teacher, Ms. McCoy continued to influence children’s education in retirement, working as a volunteer in the After School program at Bradfield Community Center then writing a grant and receiving funds for the “Reading Buddy Program.” With Ms. McCoy’s perseverance, the “Reading Buddy” program has now enjoyed eight years of success.

John Bradshaw’s service to the community has spanned 38 years. After 25 years as a fire and rescue volunteer, John continued to volunteer with the Lima Memorial Health System and has donated more than 4,200 hours of service to the hospital since 1996. Over the last ten years, John has helped wherever needed at the hospital. He assumed the lead role in developing the therapy garden for patients, which has significantly improved the lives of patients who have suffered debilitating illnesses.

Mary Ann Brown is a true pioneer in the community. Mary Ann is a legend in the community, charting the course of services for children and adults in Allen County. Mary Ann worked 20 years as a volunteer at Robin Rogers School before becoming Executive Director of The Association for Retarded Citizens. Since her retirement in 1992, Mary Ann continues to be a relentless advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families.

In 1996, Michele Imler imagined and developed the M.O.M.S. (Mothers Offering Moms Support) group. Through her steadfast and tireless efforts, M.O.M.S. has developed into an organization that strengthens families educationally, emotionally and spiritually, thus providing preventive medicine against the damaging influences that occur in children’s lives.

Gladys Turner embodies the spirit and energy of the Jefferson Awards that belie her 75 years on Earth. As a longtime volunteer for Our Daily Bread kitchen, Ms. Turner has single-handedly taken it upon herself to feed nutritious and hearty meals to more than 300 men, women and children a day.

There isn’t anyone in the Cairo community of Bath School District who doesn’t know “Biggie” Best. For the past 12 years, Bryan has volunteered more than 80 hours a month to maintaining the Cairo ballparks. That includes maintenance of the two ball diamonds, ordering concessions, staffing the concession stand, hiring umpires, signing up players, organizing leagues and tournaments, and coaching a team or two himself.

For the 40 years he has lived in the community, Lyle Gilbert has volunteered in a variety of capacities, all bent on improving the quality of life for citizens in the area. Currently, Lyle serves a chair of Allen 2020, a project of Allen County Common Threads. His leadership has been pivotal in advancing and implementing this citizen-based initiative, which has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for all residents of Allen County.