Heart of Gold

Kent Johnson, John Chalmers, Mary Smaltz, Virgil Kimes, Chuck Schmidt and Ian Mercer. Chalmers, Kimes and Schmidt were 2011 Heart of Gold Award recipients.

We have a list of the most giving people in DeKalb County, Indiana.

Every year the DeKalb County Community Foundation honors a few local people who have made our community a better place – people whose recent contributions of time and talent deserve special recognition. The community foundation celebrates the contributions made by Heart of Gold Award nominees and we love to hear their stories.

Heart of Gold Award recipients receive a commemorative plaque and the opportunity to direct a gift to a charity of their choice.

Each spring we invite your suggestions for Heart of Gold Award nominees. Award recipients are announced at the DeKalb County Community Foundation’s annual meeting.

Nominate a candidate by completing our nomination form and submitting it by the deadline each year. Consider nominating someone who volunteers to:

Expand cultural opportunities
Encourage lifelong learning
Protect the environment
Help senior citizens or people with disadvantages or disabilities
Work with children
Make the community a good place to live

Note: Nominees are less likely to be chosen if the contributions for which you want to honor them are related to their paid employment. DeKalb County Community Foundation Board and staff members are not eligible for the award.

2011 John Chalmers, Virgil Kimes, Chuck Schmidt | 2010 Barbara Morrow, Gene, Julie and Stephanie Sonnenberg | 2009 Deb Argast, Scott and Jan Pressler | 2008 Jean Ferrell, Mike Littlejohn, Ed Placencia | 2007 Dr. Stanley Greenberg, Tommy Lou Lewis | 2006 Melissa Coats, Larry Dove, Skylar Elkin | 2005 Eugene Fuhrer, Cindy Snyder, Judy Cole and Janet Sutton | 2004 Betty Carbaugh, Bob Carbaugh, Becky Derrow | 2003 Sue Atkinson, Brandi Fuller, Anna Wehr | 2002 Burt Campbell, Sarah Hathaway, Neil Ramey | 2001 Paula Mercer, Betty Lou Stomm,| 2000 Virginia Bryant, Blake Smith, Wayne Weller