HONORING VOLUNTEER, NONPROFIT/CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR

KAREN KOCH 2020 Volunteer OF THE YEAR

NOMINATED BY MIKE HERRON

As the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the world of events, sports photographer Karen Koch found herself among the millions of Americans who lost their jobs. A lifelong resident of Westerville, Koch’s thoughts went to those less fortunate than herself who were experiencing food insecurity during these uncertain times.

“School children were forced to stay home, away from the access to a healthy school meal. People who never dreamed they would need to ask for help were suddenly searching for community resources to put food on their tables. With time on her hands and orders to stay-athome, Karen wanted to make a difference,” said Mike Herron, who nominated Koch for the award.

She thought about the Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WARM). From 2019-2020, WARM provided 343,745 meals to Westerville families in need. The organization also provides other critical services like workforce development. WARM staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to continue services during a time of increased needs. Despite her own bad luck, Koch wanted to help them accomplish their mission, as her former employer had through an annual drive.

Koch was struck with a sweet idea. She would help raise money for WARM with her “famous” baked goods. She set the goal of raising $1,000. With a few text messages to her friends and a post to social media, Hillcrest Coffee Cake project (named after the Westerville neighborhood in which she was raised) was fully baked with a clear mission: support the important work of WARM.

With the help of her family, Karen got to work baking, packaging and selling coffee cakes in exchange for cash or food donations to WARM. Her family, which covered the costs of the operations, realized her original goal in just two weeks and continued on for another nine weekends. The effort picked up momentum and she added to the menu all for the benefit of helping residents in need.

In two months, Koch’s efforts raised nearly $10,000 for WARM (including monetary and the value of food donations). One-hundred percent of all money raised from her baked goods was donated to the organization. In all, her family produced 594 coffee cakes and 125 dozen brownies across 576 volunteer hours.

“During a time of social isolation, social distancing and the fears of gathering, Karen’s fundraiser has helped make our corner of Westerville as well as the world a happier place. She started this fundraiser as a way to make a difference and help other families in need. It also allowed her to spend invaluable time together with her family in her favorite place, the Koch family kitchen,” Herron said.

Karen Koch took a situation that for the world was decidedly bitter and transformed it into something sweet. The City is honored to name her the 2020 Volunteer of the Year.

WESTERVILLE EDUCATION CHALLENGE 2020 Nonprofit Charitable Organization OF THE YEAR

NOMINATED BY ADAM REX

The 2020 Nonprofit/Charitable Organization of the Year award winners pose in front of City Hall after receiving their award at the May 4 City Council meeting. Left to right back row: Dennis Blair; middle row: Lauren Hoffman, Linda Weiler; front row: Tami Santa, Kristan Robertson, Nancy McFarland.

With stay-at-home orders, increasing uncertainty and pandemic-related isolation, 2020 was a hard time to be a kid. From dances, proms and sporting events to graduation and beyond, nearly every important milestone for school-aged youths was sidelined. The need for Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) was more apparent than ever. Enter the determined volunteers of the Westerville Education Challenge (WEC).

Founded in 2007, WEC is a completely volunteersupported nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds important initiatives for the Westerville City School District including anti-bullying programs, character education and promoting positive school culture.

“There is no one like [WEC] in our community and the good they have done is immeasurable. Just this year alone, they have been responsible for funding two extremely impactful initiatives throughout the district around social and emotional learning (SEL) for both students and parents,” said Adam Rex, who nominated the organization.

WEC defines SEL as “the process of developing selfawareness, self-control and interpersonal skills for school, work and life success.” The benefits of SEL skills include better academics, professional and social performance.

In addition to fully funding the training opportunity, volunteers spent countless hours organizing wellattended virtual Parent Prep sessions. The sessions offered parents information about important SEL topics like confronting hard history, during which Ohio State associate professor Dr. Hasan Jeffries read and answered questions from students about difficult truths discovered while learning about U.S. history. Other topics included mindful parenting, modeling self-regulating behaviors and LGBTQ+ 101.

“They are also the sole funder of Hope Squad, which is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program launching in all three Westerville High Schools. In addition to those two, in years past they have spearheaded and funded countless other SEL initiatives, all while keeping their focus on being passionate champions for children across our school district,” Rex said.

The volunteers of WEC also maintain an online Social- Emotional Resource Center (SERC), providing 24/7 access to emergency resources, training and more.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in six youths aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year. WEC volunteers are taking action, dedicating precious resources to help equip students and families with the tools needed to cope.

The City is honored to recognize the Westerville Education Challenge as the 2020 Nonprofit/Charitable Organization of the year.

2021 NOMINATIONS FORMS AVAILABLE

Volunteer of the Year and Nonprofit/Charitable Organization of the Year Nomination forms for 2021 will be available at www.westerville.org/volunteer. Nomination forms can be submitted through January 2022.