Spirit Award: Community Spirit

In this category, the award honors a small business, corporation or organization (of any size) that has made a substantial impact in the community by encouraging the spirit of giving to their employees or workforce. This can be through promoting volunteer opportunities to their employees, engaging in volunteer activities and/or providing paid time for employees to volunteer.

2026 Nominees

• Johnsonville 

• Kohler Co. 

• Van Horn Auto 

• The Vollrath Company

• Vesta CPA's 

2026 Community Spirit Award Winner: Kohler Co. 

Kohler Co. is guided by the motto “Believing in Better” and actively promotes volunteerism as a shared responsibility and opportunity for continuous improvement. Volunteer opportunities are promoted through a dedicated group of employee leaders known as Community Champions, who serve as advocates, organizers, and connectors across the organization. In 2025 alone, Kohler associates logged more than 6,000 volunteer hours and completed 41 community impact projects.

Spirit Award: Outstanding Volunteer Board of Directors

The award for Outstanding Volunteer Board of Directors honors a nonprofit board that has shown exceptional leadership in driving a nonprofit organization.

2026 Nominees

• Above & Beyond Children's Museum 

• Camp Anokijig

2026 Winners of the Outstanding Board of Directors Award: Friends of Camp Anokijig

Friends of Camp Anokijig not only provide financial support and volunteer support, but have been instrumental in bringing Camp Anokijig to its 100th year. The board has worked tirelessly in taking the property, formerly owned by the Racine YMCA, to preserve the camp and maintain a space that has meant so much to thousands of people since its founding in 1926.

Spirit Award: Group/Team Volunteers of the Year

This category of our Spirit Volunteer awards honors a group/team of two or more people that volunteer together on the same project under a group/team name.

2026 Nominees

• Christopher Farm & Gardens

• Connection Center, Love INC. 

• Great Marriages Mentors

• Howards Grove School District staff and students

• Jeff's Way Home Lost Dog Search and Rescue - Sheboygan Chapter

• Kohler Co. 

• Kohler Co. - Design Center

• Phi Delta Omega Sorority at Lakeland University 

• VIVA Kohler, a Business Resource Group 

2026 Winners: Connection Center at Love INC Sheboygan County 

These volunteers embody a a heart of service, integrity, and perseverance in every interaction. Serving a combined 1210 hours this year, they have been the first, caring voice for hundreds of neighbors in crisis — listening without judgment, praying with them, and helping them navigate complicated and often painful situations. They do the quiet, behind-the-scenes work that rarely gets recognized but is transforming lives in our community. 

Spirit Award: Volunteer of the Year

This category honors an individual volunteer that embodies the spirit of giving.

2026 Nominees

• Kathy Blum 

• Sue Brunette 

• John Buteyn

• Joy Cantrall

• Father Paul Coey (posthumous) 

• Sandra Gibson 

• Louise Hansen 

• Izzy Hmircik

• Jenna Illaramendi 

• Dawn Jastrow

• Jennifer Krugel 

• Ka Lee

• Cathy Loseke

• Cory Meemken

• Berta Meyer 

• Rich Ongna

• Kevin Ott

• Vicki Rautmann

• Carter Rosenthal

• John Scholke

• Lois Schuren

• Don and Paulette Sorensen

• Lynn Thorton

• Jean Yurk 

2026 Volunteer of the Year Award Winner: Sandra Gibson

Sandra Gibson was nominated by Marge Voigt from BabyCare Sheboygan. Sandy is known for her dedication and dependable support of BabyCare. Every Thursday, she helps with everything from distributing 2,500 diapers each week to washing donated baby clothes, always with kindness and grace. From organizing 600 holiday toys for families to the countless tasks she takes on year-round, BabyCare would not be as successful without Sandy’s hard work and heart.

Spirit Award: Lifetime Achievement 

This award category honors an individual who has exhibited a lifelong commitment to volunteerism and community stewardship.

2026 Nominees

• Karen Bruinooge

• Jim Johnson

• Allan Jurss

• Laura Klemme

• Kay Miller

• Judy Schmidt

• Tony Schultz

2026 Winner of the Spirit Award - Lifetime Achievement: Judith Schmidt

Congratulations, Judy! Judy Schmidt uses her gifts as an artist and retired occupational therapist to empower others with dignity, creativity and hope. Judy has dedicated the last 40 years of her life to serving to individuals facing some of life’s greatest challenges. Her work with programs and organizations such as Safe Harbor, Special Olympics, Kaleidoscope, SCIO’s Bridgeway, Made New Again, Trinity Lutheran Church and many others, Judy has cared for and supported survivors, children with special needs, refugees, seniors, and those experiencing hardship.

Spirit Award: Transformative Philanthropy

We are honored to present Sandy Livermore with the Spirit Award for Transformative Philanthropy at this year's event.

Sandy first conceived the idea that would become Bookworm Gardens in 1999 during a visit to a children’s garden in Michigan. Watching volunteers read stories to children, she was inspired by a simple yet powerful idea: "What if gardens could be designed around stories?" From that moment, the vision for Bookworm Gardens was born.

Over the next decade, Sandy turned that vision into reality through extraordinary dedication and leadership. She rallied community support, delivered presentations, formed a Book Selection Committee, and helped design the Garden’s imaginative storyscapes. She secured a permanent site, wrote grants, raised funds, built a Board of Directors, and oversaw construction of the buildings and grounds. She also took on countless hands-on tasks—planting, weeding, watering, painting—doing whatever was needed to bring the Gardens to life.

When Bookworm Gardens officially opened in 2010, Sandy continued to serve as Executive Director for four years — entirely as a volunteer — until staff were hired to carry the work forward.

Simply put, Bookworm Gardens would not exist without Sandy Livermore. Her vision, perseverance, and selfless commitment have created a cherished community treasure that inspires learning, imagination, and connection for generations to come.

About this award

The Transformative Philanthropy Award recognizes individual(s) whose combined financial generosity and dedicated volunteer service have significantly advanced a nonprofit’s mission and long-term sustainability. This award honors individuals who go beyond traditional giving by investing their time, talents, and resources in strategic, project-based efforts that strengthen organizational capacity, accelerate impact, and meaningfully transform a nonprofit’s financial health and future trajectory.