VOLUNTEER Awards
Recognizing those who go above and beyond for the Bennington community
Each fall, we solicit nominations for awards highlighting those who exhibit generosity. Selections are made by a committee of Bennington Community Foundation board members, and awards are presented to recipients at a community event.
volunteer
of the year
Each year we recognize an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the Bennington community within the past 12 months.
lifetime
achievement
Periodically we honor a community leader who has made significant contributions to Bennington over his or her lifetime.
legacy
award
On occasion we celebrate a member of the community who, although no longer with us, dedicated much of his or her life to the betterment of the Bennington.
Previous Recipients
Melissa Freed
2021 Volunteer of the year
Melissa Freed was selected as the 2021 Bennington Community Foundation Volunteer of the Year for her tireless volunteerism in the Bennington Community. She has given many hours to the Bennington Schools as the PTO President and Bennington School Foundation. Melissa has also been very involved in Girl Scouts and has coached many youth sports teams.
Lindsey Adams
2020 Volunteer of the year
Lindsey is currently President of the Bennington Chamber of Commerce and has been involved with the organization since it started. She volunteers regularly within the school, athletic programs, and her church. When COVID hit, Lindsey played a critical role along with the Bennington Chamber of Commerce and Bennington Schools Foundation to establish the Bennington Community food pantry which is now located at St. Johns Lutheran Church.
"All the volunteering time and energy she spends is because she truly loves our community and wants her - and everyone's - children to experience small-town benefits." -Community Member
2019
Volunteer of the Year
Zac Johns
Lifetime Achievement
Bill Bohn
Legacy Award
Dave Clark
2017
Volunteer of the Year
Brad Baumert
Lifetime Achievement
Dave Clark
2015
Volunteer of the Year
Ingrid Geiseman
2018
Volunteer of the Year
Tim Clark
Lifetime Achievement
Mike Fucsher
Legacy Award
Jim Bonge
2016
Volunteer of the Year
Kathy Faucher
Lifetime Achievement
Karen Arp
Legacy Award
Mel Valasek
2014
Volunteer of the Year
Maureen Proksel
2013
Volunteer of the Year
Matt Wickham