The Athens County Foundation’s Celebration of Community event on April 8 recognized a handful of community leaders in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Kelly Hatas and Jessica Stroh of Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) were awarded Woman of the Year honors. At the same time, Jim and Celeste Parsons earned the title of Seniors of the Year. The Cornwell Award honored both an individual and an organization for the first time, naming Hylie and Bruce Voss as individual recipients and Athens County Public Libraries as the organization recipient.

“Every year, this gathering reminds me why Athens County is such a special place,” said ACF executive director Kerry Pigman, adding, “The strength of this community does not come from any single organization, institution, or leader. It comes from the relationships among us.”

Pigman positioned ACF as an institution that stewards philanthropic resources, connects partners, and supports ideas that emerge from the community. “But the real leadership comes from all of you,” she said.

Hatas and Stroh named Women of the Year

Kelly Hatas serves as executive director of HAPCAP, and Jessica Stroh serves as HAPCAP’s director of community service. In addition to supporting community members through programs like the Southeast Ohio Food Bank, transit services, and Head Start, HAPCAP was central to the Housing Security Co-Create group, which secured funding to acquire the old Sunset Motel and transform it into a shelter for the unhoused in the community.

“Their leadership around the Sunset Shelter initiative makes this past year especially remarkable,” said Rose Frech of Integrated Services for Behavioral Health, who nominated the two.

“They demonstrate that strong leadership does not require being the loudest voice in the room, but rather the most thoughtful, steady, and principled.” Frech continued, “And for emerging women leaders in Athens, they model a powerful and deeply needed form of leadership rooted in humility, integrity, and service.”

The Woman of the Year award, sponsored by the ACF Women’s Fund, honors outstanding women in Athens County who exhibit a courageous voice that has been – or needs to be – recognized and who make a difference to the lives of women or girls in Athens County. The mission of the Women’s Fund is to promote philanthropy among women and to provide funding to programs and projects in Athens County that empower women to achieve their full potential. Each year, the Women’s Fund awards grants to Athens County nonprofits that benefit women and girls.

Jim and Celeste Parsons named the Seniors of the Year.

Jim and Celeste Parsons are visible to many in Athens County as the retired couple seen frequently out for rides on their tandem bicycle. To the leaders and volunteers at Stuart’s Opera House, they’re known as super volunteers.

Jennifer Fritchley, herself a volunteer at Stuart’s, introduced the award and pointed to the many hours of volunteer work that the Parsons have dedicated to the opera house, from performing to costume and set design. “Whether supporting local organizations, collaborating with fellow volunteers, mentoring emerging performers and technicians, or investing their time and resources into projects that strengthen community life, they embody engagement and generosity,” Dean said, noting that their service has not diminished with age, but only deepened. “Their example encourages other seniors to remain involved, connected, and purposeful.”

The Athens Jaycees Senior Fund through the Athens County Foundation awards the Senior of the Year annually to a senior (65 or older) who has provided key leadership in our community, especially related to issues affecting the quality of life of seniors or in the area of philanthropy.

Cornwell Award recognizes Hylie and Bruce Voss, Athens County Public Libraries.

For the first time, the Cornwell Award recognized both individual and organizational recipients. Hylie and Bruce Voss were honored for their support of Athens County through philanthropy and leadership. Hylie Voss is president of the Sugar Bush Foundation, chair of the board of Good Works, Inc., and an active participant in the Housing Co-Create initiative. Bruce Voss is a supporter of Rural Action, Passion Works Studio, and the Mount Zion Black Cultural Center.

Scott Robe, local attorney and ACF board member, introduced the Vosses. “Together, Bruce and Hylie Voss have strengthened the nonprofit ecosystem of Athens County through thoughtful engagement, collaboration, and enduring generosity, making them highly deserving of recognition.”

Hylie Voss accepted the award by describing the culture of interconnectedness among her neighbors: one gives another a ride to town, who, in turn, checks on a woman without shelter who is staying with her. Another starts a garden for a neighbor. “A culture of neighborliness is an interconnected network of relationships that creates resilience in our communities,” Voss said, “It’s barely even noticed by the formal economy, but it is how we get by.”

For the first time, the Cornwell Award was also presented to an organization, the Athens County Public Libraries. “The Athens County Public Libraries are a vital pillar of civic infrastructure in Athens County,” Robe said. “More than places to borrow books, the libraries function as trusted public institutions where residents gather, access essential resources, and connect. In a rural county where transportation, broadband, and access to services can be barriers, the library system provides free and equitable access to technology, high-speed internet, educational tools, and a welcoming public space.”

Nick Tepe, director of libraries, accepted the award. “The only way we can meet the information needs of our community today is to embed ourselves in our communities. Go to where our citizens are and find out what they need,” he said, adding, “I hope that everyone here tonight will use this as an opportunity to talk to your friends, neighbors, coworkers, and elected officials at every level about what libraries really do and why libraries matter. We can’t do what we do without your support, and this award shows us that you have our backs, too.”

The Cornwell Award was established in 1996 in honor of Foster Cornwell’s legacy of care and commitment to Athens County and to recognize those with a similar vision and dedication to Athens County.