Thrive Allen County presents awards each year to organizations and individuals doing exceptional things in our community. We believe that good work deserves to be recognized and success needs to be celebrated.

Four awards are given for excellence in our primary program areas: Health and Wellness, Recreation, Education, and Economic Development. Allen County’s banking community comes together to recognize Unsung Heroes from Eastern Allen County, Humboldt, and Iola. The Lifetime Service Award is given rarely for longstanding dedication to our community. Finally, the Donna Talkington Award is Thrive’s highest recognition, given each year to an extraordinary community member.

Criteria

Organizations, individuals, or businesses in Allen County which have done one or more of the following are eligible for Thrive awards:

• Expanded access to a particular service in the areas of health and wellness, recreation, education or economic development
• Reached individuals or groups that previously had been underserved or not served at all
• Shown excellence in partnership or collaboration with other organizations.

Award winners will be selected by the Thrive Board of Directors.

Unsung Hero Award

The Unsung Hero 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. These are people who volunteer their time and talents without regard for recognition or accolades, having the simple goal of making their community a better place for all of us to live and work. 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

The Lifetime Service Award is an award given out rarely to recognize a community member who has dedicated his or her career to improving the economic, social and civic life of Allen County. Past winners are Max Snodgrass (2011), John McRae (2018), Jim Gilpin (2019), and John Masterson (2021).

Donna Talkington Award

“The Donna” is the highest award given by Thrive. It recognizes exemplary activities by individuals, businesses, or organizations that meaningfully impact our community. The award can recognize activities in any or all of the four focus areas (health and wellness, recreation, education, economic development), OR other activities as determined by the Board of Directors.

How To Nominate for a Thrive Award

Anyone can make a nomination for a Thrive award. Self-nominations are accepted. Nominations can be made by phone (620-365-8128), email (info@thriveallencounty.org), in person, in writing, or via the nomination form below. Those making nominations should provide key details about the nominee including their name, contact information, the organization(s) they represent, and how the work done fits with the criteria listed above. We also request the person making the nomination provide contact information in case there are questions from the Thrive board or staff.

Nominations are now closed.