David Bentlin of Normal is well known for his LGBTQIA+ advocacy in our community.

“His leadership skills allow him to draw in individuals from a variety of backgrounds, economies and viewpoints to work cohesively toward a common goal,” said his nominator for the award, “all the while making each and every individual feel heard, valued and appreciated for their contributions.”

Dave has served in leadership positions with Prairie Pride Coalition, which serves the LGBTQIA+ community, for three decades, including as board president for the past 14 years. Projects that he helped create and currently helps administer include the Gender Expansive Resource Center and the B/N Area LGBTQIA+ Business and Resource Directory. Dave also represents Prairie Pride on the organizing committee for the Bloomington/Normal Pridefest, the community’s largest LGBTQIA+ event.

In addition, Dave serves on local and statewide LGBTQIA+ councils. He currently sits on the Carle BroMenn LGBTQIA+ Community Advisory Council, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias LGBTQ+ Advisory Council and the Equality Illinois Statewide Advocacy Network.

Dave is co-curator on a project, managed by the McLean County Museum of History, to mount an exhibit in 2028 on the history of the McLean County LGBTQIA+ community. He sits on the steering committee of the Central Illinois chapter of ACLU and is a past member of the Bloomington Human Relations Commission.

Prior to retirement, Dave served as a staff member for various Illinois State University administrators. During this time, he was part of an effort that created two services for LGBTQIA+ students: The LGBTQIA+ Student Support Fund, which is available to students in need of emotional and financial support, and ISU’s Lavender Graduation ceremony for LGBTQIA+ students, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

“Dave Bentlin is not one of those people who writes a ‘big check’ and walks away,” said his nominator. “He does write the check, but he also gets in the trenches and works to improve life for individuals and through supporting causes that have a positive effect on a portion of our community at large that is often shunned or forgotten.”

Dave is a donor to his alma mater, Illinois State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in History and Social Services, and a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications Journalism. He has endowed a scholarship fund within the ISU School of Social Work, and donates to the ISU LGBTQIA+ Student Support Fund and WGLT. In the community, he is a donor to Heartland Theatre Company, McLean County Museum of History and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Dave’s family has informed his work. When he was a child, his grandmothers especially demonstrated selfless compassion for others, and today his life is enriched by his daughter, Raylene, and sister, Mary Ellen. His chosen family of close friends and fellow social justice warriors also hold a deep spot in his heart.

Carolyn Yockey

Carolyn Yockey of Normal is a dedicated volunteer, successful leader and generous donor to the community.

Carolyn is an “open-minded, visionary leader who is willing to take risks” who embodies the vision to “love boldly, serve joyfully and lead courageously,” said one of her nominators for the award.

Her engagement spans from the arts to children’s programs and her church.

As a current Illinois Symphony Orchestra board member and past president, Carolyn appreciates the value of “friend raising” and relationship building, and to this day, sends personal handwritten letters to symphony donors. She continues in her fifth year to chair the symphony’s Gala.

As a member of the McLean County Museum of History board, Carolyn was charged in 2012 with making the History Makers event a reality, setting the tone for the annual fundraiser, and continues in that role to this day. As one of four capital campaign co-chairs, Carolyn helped the museum meet and surpass a $3 million goal in the 2010s.

Carolyn was co-chair of the first six Baby Fold Festival of Trees events, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the organization. She helped lead the Cunningham Children’s Home in Urbana’s first Festival of Quilts and the subsequent three Festivals, events that have raised more than $1 million for Cunningham’s programs serving children and families.

While raising three young children, Carolyn served several years as both Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader, representative to area Scout Councils and in other Scout Council organizational and leadership positions.

Carolyn has served in multiple capacities with the United Methodist Church, becoming known as an engaged leader dedicated to social justice and equality missions worldwide. She was recognized by the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries as the Volunteer of the Year, a nationwide honor. She also has been named Volunteer of the Year by The Baby Fold, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts and United Methodist Women.

Carolyn has deep roots in McLean County, dating back to county settlers. Her family is credited with naming Blooming Grove, a name which preceded the establishment of the City of Bloomington.

Carolyn has three children (Laura, Brett and Marcia) and 6 grandchildren.

Mike Matejka and Kari Sandhaas of Normal exemplify the spirit of philanthropy through understanding of the importance of community, philanthropy and service in the community.

Matejka is a community activist, retired union representative, author and historian. He served as the Governmental Affairs Director for the Great Plains Laborers District Council, edited the Grand Prairie Union News for 40 years and was also elected for 18 years to the Bloomington City Council representing the Second Ward.

With a lifelong career in the fields of training and education, and as a Certified Diversity Professional, Sandhaas strongly values cultivating multicultural understanding and the inclusion of diverse perspectives, integrating that belief into both her community volunteer roles and her work at COUNTRY Financial.

A more detailed bio of Mike Matejka and Kari Sandhaas available here.

Marsha Fernandes of Lincoln exemplifies the spirit of philanthropy through her leadership and efforts to give back to her hometown’s residents.

Fernandes has always been active in volunteerism within the community and her retirement in 2016 allowed her to devote additional time to organizations she feels passionate about. Those include her church, Eminence Christian Church in Lincoln, volunteering at the Logan County Correctional Center helping prepare women for their release and her ongoing efforts to raise funds for at-risk and homeless veterans through the Central Illinois Veterans Commission (CIVC).

A more detailed bio for Marsha Fernandes available here.

Alan and Kathie Chapman of Bloomington exemplify the spirt of philanthropy through understanding of the importance of community, philanthropy and service focusing on education in the community.

Kathie was a longtime elementary school teacher in Normal, while Alan began his career as a teacher and rose to become superintendent of McLean County Unit District No. 5. They have been involved in various boards and committees at Illinois State University’s Alumni Association and Athletics, First Christian Church of Bloomington, Normal Rotary Club (Alan) and Bloomington-Normal Junior Woman’s Club (Kathie).

Their grandson, Max, has a rare genetic disorder (Peroxisomal Biogenesis Disorder) and Alan and Kathie founded Tee It Up for the GFPD (Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders ) along with Max’s parents, Todd and Corin Chapman. The golf outing has raised more than $1.2 million in just eight years. They also supported the Harmony Park Project, which helped create the inclusive park in Bloomington.

A more detailed bio for Alan and Kathie Chapman available here.

Tony Jones of Bloomington exemplifies the spirt of philanthropy through his leadership and organization of community celebrations of cultural difference.

Tony has served as key organizer for several community events such as Bloomington-Normal’s Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Banquet, the annual Juneteenth Celebration and Bloomington-Normal Cultural Fest, which showcases a variety of cultures, entertainment and community resources.

Tony has created numerous public forums that highlight minority-owned businesses and community events in Central Illinois. In addition, he co-founded the Mentoring and Providing Scholarships program (MAPS), which provides high school seniors with information they need to be successful in college, plus scholarships to help students pursue a college education. After a 36-year career in the computer science industry, Tony recently left retirement to work as a manager at Heartland Community College’s Workforce Equity Initiative.

A more detailed bio for Tony Jones available here.

Marlon Eilts of Pontiac exemplifies the spirit of philanthropy through his leadership and efforts to give back to his hometown.

Marlon became a COUNTRY Financial agent in 2005 and immediately began using his personal and agency resources for good in the Pontiac community. He has sponsored numerous community events including the Pontiac Threshermen’s Parade, and founded the City of Pontiac Family Fun Days. As a member of the Pontiac Rotary Club, he has served on and chaired various club committees and volunteers at countless local Rotary events. He and his wife, Stacy, have sponsored and hosted three foreign exchange students at Pontiac High School through the Rotary.

Marlon founded Happy Hedgehog Business Incubator, a micro-kickstart company to encourage local entrepreneurs. Currently, Happy Hedgehog is home to Phantoms traveling baseball team, the Break Room, and Lola’s Filipino Cooking.

A more detailed bio for Marlon Eilts available here.

Jan Meadows of Bloomington exemplifies the spirit of philanthropy through her leadership and involvement in numerous community programs and organizations supporting students, families and educators in Bloomington-Normal.

For the past 11 years, Jan has chaired the Back 2 School Alliance, which is a coalition of groups that annually provides more than 4,000 backpacks with school supplies to low-income families in Unit 5 and District 87 school districts. She coordinates the year-round collection of funds and school supplies, culminating in the Back 2 School Party where the backpacks are distributed and where local agencies are present to provide information and assistance to local families. Jan's efforts with Back 2 School Alliance also provide opportunities for the high school students in Eugene Field School.

Jan retired in 2011 from Unit 5 Schools, after 35 years in the district - 20 years as a behavior specialist at Colene Hoose Elementary School and 15 years as a first-grade teacher at Glenn Elementary School. For 20 years, she also taught night courses at Illinois State University, retiring in 2021. Jan continues to mentor student teachers and honors students from ISU.

For the last 10 years, Jan has also been involved with the Promise Council, an independent school support program, which develops a sustainable network of caring adults to connect and engage community resources that remove barriers to learning so all children can achieve success through education. She currently serves a chair for two Promise Councils and is on the board of two other councils. In addition, she created Promise Shoes, a shoe bank of new and gently used shoes for students at Unit 5 and District 87 schools.

She created a 10-week course called WOW to develop leadership skills and confidence in elementary school aged girls. Jan wrote the curriculum, orientation and training sessions, recruits leaders to work with the girls and wrote a grant to cover the costs. She also serves on the Jill Hartke Better to Give Than to Receive Holiday Program, which provides clothing, toys, household items to 150 Unit 5 families in need.

After serving on the executive committee of the Unit 5 Education Association for many years, Jan continues to serve as vice president for IEA Retired Teachers. She collaborated with Camille Taylor to bring Not In Our School programming to Unit 5 students, volunteers at McLean County Museum of History's Cemetery Walk, and is a member of the philanthropic group 100 Women for Good. She taught pre-school religion classes at St. Patrick Church of Merna and Holy Trinity Church, both of Bloomington.

In all her volunteer work, Jan uses a network of community helpers who are willing to donate, volunteer or do whatever necessary to fill immediate and long-term needs of students.

She is married to Joe Luber, who is her support system in all her endeavors. They have three children - Sarah Imhof, Mark Meadows and Elizabeth Heidemann - and five grandchildren.

Kevin Jones of Mackinaw exemplifies the spirit of philanthropy through his leadership and involvement in providing forums throughout Central Illinois and beyond for people to express their feelings and truly hear one another.

Jones has facilitated Listening Circles, a restorative justice practice, to provide people an opportunity to speak and listen to each other in an atmosphere of safety, respect and equality. He facilitates Listening Circles in communities, workplaces, schools, nonprofit organizations, neighborhoods, universities and families. Since 2015, he has done more than 2,500 trainings, most recently after George Floyd's murder, after the 2020 presidential election and attacks on the Asian American Pacific Islander community related to the pandemic.

Jones' work with restorative justice is a culmination of his 35-year career serving children and families through such agencies such as The Baby Fold, the Children's Foundation, the Department of Children and Family Services and the Regional Office of Education.

Training, coaching and educating schools, agencies and businesses across the country in restorative practices is Jones' passion. He has facilitated several restorative practices trainings for Illinois State University, Bloomington Police Department, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Western Avenue Community Center, Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal and several churches in McLean County.

He earned a master's degree in Restorative Practices through the International Institute of Restorative Practices in 2017. Jones serves on the executive board for Project Oz.

According to his nominator, "Kevin understands that if people can have a positive way to heal from whatever issues they have, he can ultimately contribute to having a more peaceful world and making it a better place. His vision and ability to get others involved is a true philanthropist."

Hank and Mary Campbell of Normal exemplify the spirit of philanthropy through their leadership and involvement in numerous community programs and organizations during the more than 45 years they have lived in Bloomington-Normal.

Both are retired from Illinois State University, where Hank was a Technology professor and Mary was a Social Work professor. Hank traveled and consulted nationally and internationally, sharing expertise in manufacturing and construction. Mary has exposed students to real world issues of poverty, homelessness and social injustice.

Mary co-founded and co-directed, with Feli Sebastian, Labyrinth Outreach Services in 2012 and Dreams Are Possible in 2018. Labyrinth serves women re-entering society after incarceration. With Dreams Are Possible, Hank and Mary, along with volunteers, transformed a 1910 grocery store on Bloomington's west side into a training center for low-income women. When starting Dreams Are Possible, Mary turned to IPCF to be the fiscal sponsor, effectively freeing her from administrative duties such as accepting donations and handling all the finances.

Together, Hank and Mary are involved with many organizations, including: LAMU for Preventative Care, which offers free healthcare education and screening in Kenya; M.J. Rhymer Family Dry Grove Nature Preserve, which they helped establish; and the Multi-Cultural Leadership Program, from which they received the Community Service Award in 2014 in recognition of their extensive leadership work in service to others, especially the underserved in the Bloomington-Normal community.

Hank is involved with Habitat for Humanity of McLean County, Friends Forever International, Oakdale Elementary School's Promise Council, Normal Rotary Club, Rotarians Against Malaria, CAST Connections Student Success Center at ISU and ISU's University Club Scholarships.

Mary is a member of Heartland Community College's Board of Trustees, volunteers for Center for Hope Food Pantry, Youth Global Citizens, Recycling Furniture for Families and Pass It On. She received the Grabill-Homan Community Peace Prize from ISU in 2015 and YWCA McLean County's Women of Distinction award in social services in 1990. She is a Master Naturalist.

In addition to volunteering their time and talents, the Campbells financially support numerous organizations in the community.

Dale Maley of Fairbury demonstrates the traits of being a philanthropist. His efforts have greatly benefited his hometown of Fairbury as well as Livingston and McLean counties.

A graduate of Fairbury-Cropsey High School, Dale received a degree in Agricultural Engineering at the University of Illinois and MBA at Illinois State University. He retired from Caterpillar Inc., after working for 37 years as an engineer.

He is currently president of the Fairbury Improvement Group, which identifies and implements solutions that improve the quality of life for Fairbury citizens; is vice president of the Fairbury Echoes Museum, and president of the Livingston County Historical Society.

During the past six years, the Fairbury Improvement Group has completed more than 50 different projects. The largest project the Fairbury Improvement Group accomplished was the complete renovation of Marsh Park. Dale spearheaded this project, using his engineering experience to save more than $100,000 in design fees for the project. This park is once again very popular with children and families.

Dale has also helped the village of Chatsworth preserve its local history by updating and expanding a book about the 1887 Chatsworth train wreck and writing a book about pioneer settler Franklin Oliver. He also donated engineering design services to the new Central Illinois Connection Center building in Chatsworth. Dale also helped the village of Colfax research its local history and designed four historic murals depicting this history. These murals will be used to bring history to life for current and future generations of Colfax citizens.

As president of the Livingston County Historical Society, Dale has volunteered to repair many items in two of the historic homes in Pontiac maintained by the historical society.

Dale has researched and written more than 20 history books about Fairbury and Livingston County. He has also written historical stories for the Fairbury Blade newspaper. He provided leadership and financial support to digitize the Blade newspaper, dating back to 1881. Blade archives can be accessed free of charge from the Dominy Memorial Library website.

In addition to donating his labor, Dale also makes financial contributions to various nonprofit groups.

Arthur and Camille Taylor of Bloomington have done so much for our local community over many years working tirelessly as community leaders.

Both have been instrumental in fighting racism in the Twin Cities. Arthur has been actively working to increase communication and transparency between the community and the police through his work as immediate past chair and current member of the Public Safety and Community Relations Board, a civilian review board established by Bloomington's City Council. Camille has a nearly 20-year involvement with Not in Our Town, whose mission is to stop hate, address bullying and make a safe, more inclusive community. The organization has worked within the communities of Bloomington and Normal to foster an appreciation of all marginalized groups, raise awareness and work for social justice. Camille is Co-Chair of the NIOT Steering Committee and Not in Our Schools, which she helped launch in 2015.

Both Taylors have worked tirelessly on improving race relations locally, leading trainings, serving on panels, attending workshops and presenting on the topic to various social groups. Arthur has been called a "social justice warrior"; Camille has a passion for equality and celebrating diversity.

Arthur retired in 2017 from State Farm Insurance Cos., where he worked in various positions as an Auto Claims Representative, Staff Assistant in Subrogation, Director of Diversity and Inclusion for Claims Services, and as a manager over employees in 16 states. Prior to working at State Farm, Arthur had worked for 22 years at national retail chains including Sears, Target, Best Buy and Circuit City in sales and managerial capacities.

Camille retired in 2012 after 35 years with Normal Unit 5 School District, where she taught in the elementary and junior high levels as a self-contained and itinerant special education teacher, Positive Life Skills Teacher and an At-Risk Interventionist. Camille was a counselor during her last 12 years at Normal Community High School. While with Unit 5, she was president of the Unit 5 Education Association and chief negotiator for UFEA. She taught evening classes as an ISU non-tenured track faculty member in the Special Education and Curriculum and Instruction Departments.

Both are members, elders and past Deacons of First Christian Church in Bloomington, where Arthur was past congregation president and was named Honored Servant. Camille serves as greeter and works with children's programs. They both are volunteers for the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. She also served as a consultant with the development of Illinois Prairie Community Foundation's Youth Engaged in Philanthropy program.

Arthur served on the selection committee for the recently retired Bloomington Police Chief. He is the recipient of the Alpha Omicron Pi Outstanding Community Service Award. Camille is an active member of the McLean County League of Women Voters and has served on its board, as well as the board of The Baby Fold. She is a past board member of the YWCA, and chairs its Foundation Board and the WINGS Award program. Camille was named 2001 YWCA Woman of Distinction for Education and was inducted into the Illinois State University Division of Student Affairs Steve and Sandi Adams Legacy Hall of Fame. She received the ISU College of Education Distinguished Alumni Award, League of Women Voters Diversity and Inclusion Award, and City of Bloomington's Martin Luther King Jr. Award.

Susan Hoblit of Atlanta demonstrates the traits of being a philanthropist, deeply benefiting her hometown of Atlanta, Logan County and all of Central Illinois.

She helped create and has been actively involved in the Endow Atlanta Fund at IPCF, which has provided thousands of dollars for local projects in Atlanta for the last 10 years. This fund has been a model for other rural development endowments and Hoblit has served as a willing spokesperson for how to revitalize rural small communities.

Hoblit currently serves as Chair of the Board of Lincoln College and has served as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for children since 1998. She helped found the Baby Fold's Festival of Trees and co-chaired the event from 1994-99. She served on the Baby Fold Board of Directors from 2000-08 and IPCF Board of Directors from 2010-2018, serving as President of the Board her last two years.

She was instrumental in re-starting the Atlanta Community Band and has continued to play in it for 29 years. Hoblit also started a flower planting group, The Flower Buds, which maintains 40 containers of flowers in downtown Atlanta each summer. She has given generously to Endow Atlanta and has created two endowed scholarships at Illinois State University and one at Lincoln College.

Hoblit comes from a long line of philanthropists. Her ancestors arrived in America in 1746 and came west to Illinois as pioneers, homesteading on a land grant in what would later become Logan County. Once Atlanta was established in 1853, the Hoblits served as bankers, farmers, carpenters and public service volunteers. In the 1940s, the Hoblit family established the Hoblit Seed Company, which served local farmers for more than 50 years. "It is my privilege to be the seventh generation of my family to live in and serve Atlanta," she said.

Paul and Sandra Harmon are exemplary role models for civic leadership and philanthropic contributions in our community. Their time and talents dedicated to the community extend more than four decades and continue today.

Paul has been involved in local government for more than four decades, over the years serving on the Normal Planning Commission, Normal Town Council and then as Mayor, McLean County Regional Planning Commission, Illinois Municipal League Board and Bloomington-Normal Airport Authority Board.The Harmons moved to Bloomington-Normal in 1968 when Paul began work as an attorney at Illinois Agriculture Association. He retired as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Illinois Agriculture Association (Illinois Farm Bureau) and COUNTRY Financials in 2008. Sandra retired from the Department of History and Women Studies program at Illinois State University in 2004.

In addition Paul's community service in includes serving on the boards of the Bloomington/Normal Symphony Society, Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development for the Bloomington/Normal Area, BroMenn Foundation, Illinois Shakespeare Society and the McLean County Arts Center.

Paul served on the board of Illinois Prairie Community Foundation from 2008-17, serving on various committees during that time and as president from 2016-17. He was re-elected to the board to fill a vacant term in August 2018 and again served as president through June 2019.

Sandra is a founding member of IPCF's Women to Women Giving Circle and served on the Arts & Culture Grants Committee. Sandra's community service over the years includes serving on the boards of the McLean County Historical Society, ISU's Senior Professionals, ISU's Friends of the Arts, Heartland Theatre, Vladimir/Canterbury Sister Cities Association, Illinois Shakespeare Society, League of Women Voters and MARC Center. She also served on the Normal Human Relations Commission and Countering Domestic Violence Fundraising Advisory Committee.

Paul and Sandra's fundraising experience includes serving on The Baby Fold Cabinet, Normal Theater Restoration Fund and Theater at Ewing Capital Campaign, and currently as volunteers on ISU's major capital campaign. Major philanthropic gifts have been made by the couple to The Baby Fold, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, Community Cancer Center, Illinois State University, First Presbyterian Church and McLean County Museum of History.

They have created three endowments: Paul and Sandra Harmon Arts & Culture Fund at IPCF; and Harmon Recruitment Scholarship in history and Paul and Sandra Harmon Shakespeare Endowment, both at ISU.

Paul and Sandra are members of First Presbyterian Church, Normal, and have served on various committees with the church.

As a couple, they were named 2018 History Makers by McLean County Museum of History and 1993 Normal Citizens of the Year. Paul was named 2015 Extraordinary Man of the Year by Collaborative Solutions and received the Illinois Farm Bureau Eagle Award for Excellence and League of Women Voters Award for Civic Service, both in 2007. Sandra was named 2006 Woman of Distinction in Creative Arts and Entertainment by YWCA McLean County and received a 2000 Outstanding University Teacher Award and 1996 League of Women Voters Award.

Duane and Toni Farrington exemplify the spirit of philanthropy through their involvement in, and support of, numerous community organizations during the 14 years they have lived in our community.

Duane Farrington is Executive Vice President - Technology, Digital and Innovation for State Farm Insurance. He began his career with State Farm in 1980 in Pennsylvania, moving to Bloomington for the first time in 1988. The Farringtons relocated and returned to the community many times, most recently returning in 2009.

Duane is very involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal. He serves as chairman of its "Community Advisory Council," meeting quarterly with local community leaders to update them on happenings at the Club; volunteers most Wednesday nights as part of the "Passport to Manhood" program; and chaired the Club's annual fund drive campaign and fundraising breakfast in 2015. He also is a current member and past Member of the Year of the 100 Black Men of Central Illinois and The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. A member of several state and national groups, Duane is also a board member of Heartland Jazz Orchestra locally.

Duane and Toni Farrington co-chaired a capital campaign for The Community Cancer Center during the latest addition to build a new tower for the patients and their treatments. The Farrington family are active members of Eastview Christian Church in Normal. Duane is an usher, greeter and leader of the Monday Night Men's Bible Study Fellowship and Toni volunteers in the pantry at least two mornings a week.

Toni Farrington is a member of Western Avenue Community Center's board of directors and volunteers as a mentor twice a week during the school year with the PETALS (Providing Education & Training to Achieve Lasting Success) program. She recently served on the search committee for a new executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of B-N and currently is a member of the Promise Council at Oakdale Elementary School in Normal, serving on the Back to School Basketball Jamboree and Educational Summit committee.

According to their nominator for the award, "Duane and Toni together have developed close personal relationships with many of us over the years, working very closely, diligently and quietly on many philanthropic endeavors in our community."

George and Myra Gordon exemplify the spirit of philanthropy through their involvement in, and support of, numerous community organizations during the more than 45 years they have lived in Normal.

Myra helped to found Operation Recycle (the precursor to today's Ecology Action Center), serving as its Executive Director when it became the full-time recycling center for McLean County, and is currently a "board member in perpetuity." She was Co-President of the McLean County League of Women Voters, board member of the Multicultural Leadership Program and member of the Bloomington/Normal-Asahikawa Sister Cities Committee. A past member and Vice President of the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation board, Myra volunteered to serve as interim Executive Director in 2007. She was named permanent Executive Director in 2008 and served in that role for more than six years. Achievements during her tenure include the Women to Women Giving Circle, Youth Engaged in Philanthropy and increasing IPCF grants from $12,000 a year to more than $200,000 annually.

George is a retired Professor of Politics and Government at Illinois State University, where he taught for 38 years. He has been a member of the McLean County Board for 20 years, chairing its Land Use & Development Committee for 16 years, and currently chairs its Justice Committee. He also has served with Cedar Ridge Elementary School Promise Council, the Unit 5 Diversity Advisory Committee, the Board of Compassion and Choices, and Moses Montefiore Temple, where he is a Past President and has served as Choir Director for more than 30 years.

Believing in the power of endowments to create a secure future for Central Illinois, the Gordons have created two endowment funds:  the George J. Gordon Scholarship in U.S. Public Affairs at ISU and the Gordon Performing Arts Fund at IPCF, which provides annual gifts to Heartland Theatre and the Illinois Symphony Orchestra.

Darrell and Donna Hartweg have been active in many organizations since moving to Bloomington in 1968. Darrell served on St. John's Lutheran Church's Charitable Trust board for 25 years, including six years as its chair. Other leadership positions include the University of Illinois YMCA Board of Trustees where he was chair for 13 years, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, where he served on the board for nine years including four as its president, and the Community Cancer Center's Board of Governors since 2009, serving as its president from 2013 to 2015. He is a member of IPCF's development committee and the Downtown Bloomington Association. Darrell is a partner at Hartweg, Turner, Wood & DeVary Law Firm in Bloomington. A long-time member of the McLean County Bar Association, he received the Association's Lincoln Award of Excellence in 1999.

Donna is a Professor Emerita of Illinois Wesleyan University where she served as Director of the School of Nursing from 1990 to 2009. She was appointed by the governor in 2006 to the Illinois Center for Nursing Advisory Council that recommends policy on nursing workforce resources.  Donna has been president of several boards including BroMenn Hospitals Board (now Advocate), Community Health Care Clinic, Illinois Association of Colleges of Nursing and the regional Illinois Nurses' Association. She is currently vice chair and head of strategic planning for the John M. Scott Healthcare Commission. In addition she reviews grants for several organizations including the Women to Women Giving Circle at IPCF where she is a founding member.

Recipients of the Hartwegs' philanthropy include Community Health Care Clinic, Community Cancer Center, Illinois Wesleyan University School of Nursing and Donna L. Hartweg Endowed Leadership Award, Theta Pi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing at IWU, Lamu Center for Preventative Health in Lamu, Kenya, University of Illinois YMCA, St. John's Lutheran Church and Illinois Prairie Community Foundation.

John and Marilyn Freese have a long history of service and generosity to the community. Both have held leadership positions in the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and its Guild. John's board service includes Boys and Girls Club Advisory Council (Co-Chair of its fundraising drive for two years), Advocate BroMenn Governing Council, Community Cancer Center Nominating Committee, McLean County Compact, Prairie State Legal Services Campaign Committee (Co-Chair of its fundraising drive for three years), and Salvation Army (Life Member). He serves on IPCF's Arts and Culture Grants Committee.

Marilyn is a Founding Member of the Women to Women Giving Circle and serves on IPCF's Shulman Grants Committee. She volunteers at the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen, the Normal Theater, Crossroads Global Handcrafts, and local public schools. She is a Master Naturalist with the University of Illinois Extension program and serves on its Advisory Council.

The Freeses donate generously to many organizations including Advocate BroMenn, Community Cancer Center, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, McLean County Museum of History, WGLT, and the Illinois State University Foundation where, among other gifts, they established an endowed scholarship.

John and Jan Wohlwend have held key leadership positions with Illinois Symphony Orchestra and its Guild, including John's service as President of the Symphony. They have supported American Red Cross' Evening of Stars s

ince its inception 20 years ago, serving as co-chairs of the event in 2004. Jan is a Founding Member of the Women to Women Giving Circle at Illinois Prairie Community Foundation. John is a Founding and Charter member and past President of Bloomington-Normal Sunrise Rotary Club, has been active in McLean County Chamber of Commerce, and has served as the Director of Organizational Development for Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal.

Other organizations impacted by the Wohlwends' philanthropy include Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, Illinois Heart and Lung Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association, Pratt Music Foundation, the McLean County March of Dimes, the Children's Discovery Museum and many others.

Since moving to Bloomington-Normal in 1988, Bob and Julie Dobski have been actively involved in leadership in a variety of local organizations and have positively impacted the community. Julie is a Founding Member of the Women to Women Giving Circle at Illinois Prairie Community Foundation and served as board Chairwoman of United Way of McLean County. The couple served as honorary Chairmen of The Baby Fold's 2013 Festival of Trees and both have served as President of McLean County Chamber of Commerce.

Other organizations with which they have been involved include American Red Cross of the Heartland Evening of Stars, Illinois State University Board of Trustees, ISU Athletics, ISU Red Hot Society, Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, W.D. Boyce Council Boy Scouts of America, Sunrise Rotary Club, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Central Catholic High School, and Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Roger and Mary Hunt

Roger and Mary Hunt have established wonderful traditions of giving to our community since their arrival in 2001 and have been involved and supported many community organizations. Mary is an active Founding Member of the Women to Women Giving Circle at Illinois Prairie Community Foundation. The couple has served as Chairmen of American Red Cross of the Heartland Evening of Stars. Roger is a past board Chair of Illinois Symphony Orchestra and chaired the Symphony's Music Director Search Committee.

Other organizations that have benefited from the couple's leadership and philanthropy include Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Bloomington Kiwanis Club, Illinois State University Community Partners, Mennonite College of Nursing, the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way of McLean County.

2011 - Celebrating Local Philanthropy Luncheon was not held

Deanna Frautschi and Alan Bedell have given many years of service and philanthropy to a wide range of organizations throughout our community. Deanna's involvements include Leadership McLean County, United Way of McLean County, McLean County Chamber of Commerce, Community Health Care Clinic, Multicultural Leadership Program, The Baby Fold, Humane Society of Central Illinois and Illinois Prairie Community Foundation. She is a Founding Member of the Women to Women Giving Circle at Illinois Prairie Community Foundation and served on its Steering Committee.

Alan has served the local Cornbelt AMBUCS organization for over 20 years. He is a past Vice President of the Occupational Development Center and past board Chair of LifeCil. He volunteers at Midwest Food Bank. The couple has served as Chairmen of Red Cross Evening of Stars and Miller Park Zoo Do fundraisers.

Jerry and Carole Ringer have the distinction of being the First Philanthropists of the Year to be honored at the annual Celebrating Local Philanthropy Luncheon. The Ringers are life-long philanthropists whose generosity of time, treasure, skill, and enthusiasm touch our community, our state and our world.

Carole served as the first Executive Director of the Community Foundation of McLean County (the former name of Illinois Prairie Community Foundation). While serving in that role, she was instrumental in applying for and receiving National Standards (national accreditation from the Council on Foundations). Carole remains active at Illinois Prairie Community Foundation as a Founding Member of the Women to Women Giving Circle and member of its Steering Committee and as a member of the Investment Committee. She has served as board Chair of Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Friends of the Arts at Illinois State University.

Jerry has served as board Chair of Illinois Shakespeare Festival Society and Senior Professionals at Illinois State University. He serves on the Development Committee at Illinois Prairie Community Foundation. Jerry served nine three-year terms on Cornell College's (Iowa) board, including one as its President, and was honored by the college for a lifetime of service and giving. A retired ophthalmologist, Jerry has donated his medical services on several trips to Africa.