ANNUAL AWARD CELEBRATION

Awards for Excellence | Thrive Awards | Sponsorship Information

ANNUAL AWARD CELEBRATION

Thrive's 19th Annual Award Celebration

Join us for our 19th Annual Award Celebration on Friday, Nov 20th, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Allen Community Colle ge gymnasium! Let’s celebrate together and honor the outstanding members of our community whose dedication and efforts create a lasting positive impact. See you there!

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Become a Sponsor

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

Education

The Award for Excellence in Education is for organizations, individuals, or businesses in Allen County who have expanded access to a particular service in the field of education, reached individuals or groups that previously had been underserved or not served at all, and/or shown excellence in partnership or collaboration with other organizations in their field.

2026 nominees: Iola Public Library, Jenna Higginbotham, and Josiah D’Albini.

Education

The Award for Excellence in Education is for organizations, individuals, or businesses in Allen County who have expanded access to a particular service in the field of education, reached individuals or groups that previously had been underserved or not served at all, and/or shown excellence in partnership or collaboration with other organizations in their field.

2026 nominees:
Iola Public Library
Jenna Higginbotham
Josiah D’Albini

Recreation

The Award for Excellence in Recreation is granted to entities, individuals, or companies in Allen County that have improved access to recreational activities, engaged individuals or groups who were previously underserved or overlooked, and/or demonstrated excellence in collaborating with other organizations and individuals in their field.

2026 nominees: Humboldt Recreation Commission, Iola Sea Horses , and Iola CITF.

Recreation

The Award for Excellence in Recreation is granted to entities, individuals, or companies in Allen County that have improved access to recreational activities, engaged individuals or groups who were previously underserved or overlooked, and/or demonstrated excellence in collaborating with other organizations and individuals in their field.

2026 nominees:
Humboldt Recreation Commission
Iola Sea Horses
Iola CITF

Health & Wellness

The Award for Excellence in Health & Wellness recognizes organizations, individuals, or businesses in Allen County that have improved the community’s overall health and wellness. This includes assisting underserved individuals and groups, as well as demonstrating outstanding collaborations with other entities and health organizations.

2026 nominees: Stacey Crusinbery, Elsmore Ruritan Food Pantry, and Allen County Regional Hospital Auxiliary.

Health & Wellness

The Award for Excellence in Health & Wellness recognizes organizations, individuals, or businesses in Allen County that have improved the community’s overall health and wellness. This includes assisting underserved individuals and groups, as well as demonstrating outstanding collaborations with other entities and health organizations.

2026 nominees:
Stacey Crusinbery
Elsmore Ruritan Food Pantry
Allen County Regional Hospital Auxiliary

Economic Development

The Award for Excellence in Economic Development is given to organizations, individuals, or businesses in Allen County who are acknowledged for enhancing the general economy of their community, generating employment and developmental growth, particularly for individuals or groups previously underrepresented, and/or showcasing exceptional collaborations or cooperative endeavors with other entities and development projects.

2026 nominees: Myra & Gabe Gleason, Jennifer Chester, and Chancy’s Grill and Shake.

Economic Development

The Award for Excellence in Economic Development is given to organizations, individuals, or businesses in Allen County who are acknowledged for enhancing the general economy of their community, generating employment and developmental growth, particularly for individuals or groups previously underrepresented, and/or showcasing exceptional collaborations or cooperative endeavors with other entities and development projects.

2026 nominees:
Myra & Gabe Gleason
Jennifer Chester
Chancy’s Grill and Shake

Change-Maker

The Change-Maker Award for Excellence is open to anyone 21 years of age or younger and focuses on the outstanding efforts and achievements of inspiring, young, rural change-makers from Allen County who drive positive change within their community. Nominees demonstrate a clear impact through their initiatives, showing how their dedication and hard work have brought about meaningful improvements.

2026 nominees: Bella Rahming, Shelby Sprague, and Alex Torres.

Change-Maker

The Change-Maker Award for Excellence is open to anyone 21 years of age or younger and focuses on the outstanding efforts and achievements of inspiring, young, rural change-makers from Allen County who drive positive change within their community. Nominees demonstrate a clear impact through their initiatives, showing how their dedication and hard work have brought about meaningful improvements.

2026 nominees:
Bella Rahming
Shelby Sprague
Alex Torres

THRIVE AWARDS

Volunteer

Annual Award

Unsung Hero

Annual Award

Lifetime Service

Special Award

Donna Talkington

Special Award

Volunteer of the Year Award

This award is given to an individual, organization, or civic group that goes above and beyond on their own time to help their community thrive. Each recipient embodies the spirit of community, dedication, and compassion, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to enhancing the well-being of their community. Their efforts span diverse initiatives, from improving access to healthcare, education, and recreation, to fostering sustainable practices and advocating for social justice. By recognizing these outstanding contributions, we hope to inspire others to join us in creating a more vibrant and inclusive future for all. Each honoree’s story is a testament to the power of collective action and the profound impact it can have on our community.

Unsung Hero Award

This award recognizes the contributions of those who are quietly working to make our community a better place, but who typically are not acknowledged publicly for their work. The recipients of the Unsung Hero Award embody the spirit of altruism and the belief that small acts of kindness can create ripples of positive change. They often go above and beyond, driven by a deep sense of compassion and a commitment to the well-being of others. Their stories serve as powerful reminders that anyone, regardless of their background or resources, has the potential to make a meaningful impact. Shining a light on these everyday heroes fosters a culture of gratitude and inspires a collective effort to build stronger, more connected communities. In recognizing these individuals, we celebrate the best of humanity and the extraordinary difference that ordinary people can make. The Unsung Hero award is made possible by the generosity of Community National Bank and Trust, Emprise Bank, the Bank of Gas, and Great Southern Bank.

Lifetime Service Award

This award is given out periodically over the years to recognize a community member who has dedicated their career to improving the economic, social, and/or civic life of Allen County. Recipients of this prestigious honor demonstrate unwavering commitment and passion for the betterment of their community. Their efforts span a wide range of initiatives, from spearheading local business development to advocating for social justice and fostering civic engagement among residents. Each honoree stands as a beacon of inspiration, showing that individual dedication can lead to substantial, positive change. Their stories are a testament to the power of community spirit and the profound impact one person can have when they choose to lead with empathy, vision, and determination.

Previous Lifetime Service Award winners include: Max Snodgrass (2011), John McRae (2018) and Jim Gilpin (2019), and John Masterson (2021).

The Donna Talkington Award

“The Donna” is the highest award given by Thrive. It recognizes exemplary activities by individuals, businesses, or organizations that deeply and meaningfully impact our community. Each year, nominations are carefully reviewed by our board to ensure that the most deserving candidates are considered. Recipients of “The Donna” are celebrated at a grand ceremony attended by community leaders, past awardees, and supporters of Thrive’s mission. The event not only honors the awardees but also serves as an inspiration for others to engage in activities that foster growth and well-being within the community. Through “The Donna,” Thrive aims to highlight the power of dedicated individuals and organizations in creating a vibrant, resilient, and inclusive community. The award underscores the importance of collective action and the belief that every contribution, no matter how large or small, can lead to significant change.

SPONSORSHIPS

Become an Event Sponsor

Partnerships are what fuel our work and our community. Sponsoring our Annual Awards Celebration is a direct way to show the community that you or your business supports it, and it’s also a great opportunity to get your name or brand in front of the 300+ guests that attend. We hope you’ll team up with us to recognize the outstanding achievements of our community, friends, and colleagues at this year’s Annual Award Celebration. If you would like to be a sponsor, please contact Alec Berthot at alec@thriveallencounty.org or call us at 620-365-8128. View our Sponsorship Form for details.

In 2007, our community faced some serious challenges: Climbing poverty levels, poor community health, and limited access to healthy lifestyle choices. We could have thrown up our hands in defeat, but we didn’t give up. Together, we chose to thrive. Nineteen years later, Allen County is a healthier, more vibrant, better place to live thanks to business and community members like you.

Sponsorships for the 2026 Annual Award Celebration must be submitted before September 25th, 2026.

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