2019 Champion of Westerville - Rick Bannister

RICK BANNISTER 2019 Champion OF WESTERVILLE

Rick Bannister is the epitome of what it means to be a Champion in our community.

A 45-year resident, Rick recognized families and individuals in need in Westerville and surrounding communities and found a way to pair opportunity with generosity. It’s no exaggeration to say Rick has redefined kindness in our community.

In January of 2017, Rick resigned as chief operating officer of the Ohio State Bar Association to start Neighborhood Bridges, a charitable organization that helps children and families in need in and around Westerville.

Since then, Rick has grown Neighborhood Bridges to nine cities in Central Ohio and four in Alabama, assisting more than 15,000 people with needs such as clothing, furniture, school fees, utilities and help with medical appointments. The organization’s success rate hovers in the 98% range; nearly all requests for needs in the community are met through Neighborhood Bridges.

In addition to his charitable work, Rick volunteered extensively with the Westerville City School District. He has worked on school levy campaigns from 1995 to 2016, and was involved in the most recent school levy in 2019 to improve safety in school buildings and build FRANCIS “RED” BAILEY (2016)

new elementary and middle schools.

An avid member and supporter of Westerville South High School Athletic Boosters, Rick is known as the “Voice of the Wildcats” – announcing softball, football and basketball games at Westerville South since 2003. He can also be found at The Ohio State University, announcing softball, men’s volleyball and men’s and women’s soccer games.

Rick’s “free time” goes back into the community as well. He is a member of the Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club and volunteers at the Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WARM). He is a proud #girldad, sharing four daughters with wife, Diane.

“The only thing I’ve done here is I just believe in others. I have a strong conviction in the kindness that exists in all of us.” (Rick Bannister, The Columbus Dispatch Everyday Heroes)

Rick Bannister makes Westerville kinder and more capable. Thank

The Westerville Champions program recognizes outstanding citizens whose service and activities significantly enhanced the quality of life in Westerville. Since the inception of the program, the following individuals have been recognized as Westerville Champions:

DAMON “CHIP” WETTERAUER (2013)

EDWIN “DUBBS” ROUSH (2014) MARY LOU PROUTY (2014)

JAMES MCCANN (2015)

WARREN “ERNIE” ERNSBERGER (2015) DICK RANO (2016)

MARY BAILEY (2016)

you, Rick, for your tireless service to the community. DON BARLOW (2017)

MIKAL “MIKE” TOWNSLEY (2018) JEFF HARTNELL (2018)

SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD BRIDGES

HOW IT WORKS: Advocates post requests for people in need, who remain anonymous. Advocates can be anyone, but they are commonly teachers, school counselors and others in education. People see the posts on the website, neighborhoodbridges.org, or via email or social media and offer to help. Donations can be taken to local fire stations or picked up by the organization. Visit the website for more information or to get involved.