On Thursday, April 30, 2026, community members from across Sheboygan County gathered at The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake for the 2026 Spirit Awards. Hosted by United Way of Sheboygan County, this annual celebration honors the individuals, groups, businesses and organizations who embody the spirit of volunteerism, generosity and community impact.
From inspiring youth leaders to lifelong community champions, this year’s nominees and award winners represent the very best of what it means to serve others.
Community Spirit Award
The Community Spirit Award recognizes the incredible workplaces in Sheboygan County that help create a culture of service in our community. This award honors an organization that has made a substantial impact in the community by promoting volunteerism and inspiring the spirit of giving to their employees.
Community Spirit Nominees for 2026
Johnsonville
Kohler Co.
Van Horn Automotive
Vesta CPA's
Vollrath Co.
Winner of the 2026 Community Spirit Award: 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.
Youth Volunteer Star Award
The Youth Volunteer Star Award honors a volunteer under the age of 18 who embodies the spirit of giving.
Youth Star Nominees for 2026
Olivia Gephart (Oostburg Middle School)
Brooke Heilman (Howards Grove)
Riley McCulley (Plymouth High School)
Taylor Quackenbush (Sheboygan North High School)
Yasin Zohor (Sheboygan North High School)
Winner of the 2026 Youth Star Award: Yasin Zohor
Yasin Zohor could easily have lost his life escaping genocide in Burma. Since arriving in Sheboygan, Yasin has taken on the role as the primary interpreter of the Rohingya language at parent-teacher conferences and provide homework help at schools around Sheboygan, since no other interpreters are available. Thanks to Yasin's efforts, the Rohingya children of Sheboygan will have a fighting chance of graduating and pursuing professions in the future.
Outstanding Volunteer Board of Directors Award
Nonprofits of all kinds rely on volunteers to serve on their Boards, which provide essential roles in governing the organization and driving the mission forward. This award category recognizes Sheboygan County serving nonprofits who's boards have exceptional leadership in supporting the staff and advancing the mission.
Outstanding Volunteer Board of Directors Nominees for 2026
Above & Beyond Children's Museum
Friends of Camp Anokijig
Winner of the 2026 Outstanding Volunteer Board of Directors: 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.
Group/Team Volunteers of the Year Award
Sheboygan County has a culture of collaboration and commitment to volunteerism which elevates our community. This award category honors a group of two or more people that volunteer together on the same project.
Group or Team Volunteers of the Year Nominees for 2026
Connection Center, Love INC Sheboygan County
Christopher Farm and Gardens
Great Marriages
Howards Grove School District
Jeff’s Way Home Lost Dog Search and Rescue
Kohler Design Center
Phi Delta Omega Sorority Lakeland University
VIVA Kohler, a Business Resource Group at Kohler Co.
Winner of the 2026 Group/Team Volunteers of the Year Award: Connection Center at Love INC Sheboygan County
This group of 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.
Transformative Philanthropy Award
This award celebrates vision, commitment, and creativity - the kind of determination that tackles challenges no nonprofit can solve alone. It honors the perseverance to lean in together and the courage to fight for a cause greater than oneself.
Transformative philanthropy is about a deep, personal drive to ensure the financial stability of nonprofits and secure a thriving future for Sheboygan County. When this award was added to the Spirit Awards in 2025, it was aimed to recognize the thoughtful volunteers whose efforts uplift neighbors in need, shine a spotlight on agencies doing critical work, and build lasting, mission-driven impact.
This year, the award was presented by Richard Bemis, who together with his wife Kristin Bemis, received the inaugural award for Transformative Philanthropy.
Honoring the vision & legacy of Sandy Livermore, Founder of Bookworm Gardens
During a visit to a children’s garden in Michigan, Sandy watched volunteers reading stories to children, when she suddenly felt inspired by a simple yet powerful idea - “What if gardens could be designed around stories?". And at that moment, the vision for Bookworm Gardens was born.
Over the next decade, Sandy worked to turn that vision into reality through extraordinary dedication and leadership. She 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.
Volunteer of the Year Award
This award category which honors a volunteer that embodies the spirit of giving. The Spirit Awards Advisory Committee felt the deep admiration for these volunteers within the nomination submissions this year. Phrases like "giving one hundred percent," "countless hours," and "served in various positions" showcased their commitment to giving back.
Volunteer of the Year Nominees for 2026
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
Winner of the 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award: Sandra Gibson
At BabyCare, Sandy Gibson is known for her dedication and dependable support. 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.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is given to an individual who has exhibited a lifelong commitment to volunteerism and community stewardship exemplifying purpose, patience, and perseverance. Working for decades, this year's nominees have impacted countless groups and individuals with their unwavering heart of service.
Nominees for the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award
Karen Bruinooge
Jim Johnson
Allan Jurss
Laura Klemme
Kay Miller
Judith Schmidt
Tony Schultz
Winner of the 2026 Lifetime Achievement in Volunteering Award: Judith Schmidt
Judith 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.
Special Recognition for Sheridan Elementary School
During the awards ceremony, Lisa Finney, Volunteer Center Director at United Way, surprised the team from Sheridan Elementary School with a special recognition.
Sheridan's Principal, Amy Buffington, and school counselor Jeanna Gumtow stepped on stage along with two Sheridan Elementary students. The school accepted the "Little Spirit Certificate" in recognition of being the first elementary school in Sheboygan County to participate in Day of Caring.
Pay It Forward, presented by Van Horn Automotive
If you've ever attended an event at a local chamber, you know that Van Horn has a tradition of giving away a "Pay It Forward" donation. Chosen at random, one lucky attendee gets to choose which charity will receive a $1,000 gift in their name.
New this year, Van Horn Automotive has now added Spirit Awards to that community tradition. The Pay It Forward gift was presented by Teresa Van Horn. Wendy Cracraft, a staff member at Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of East Central Wisconsin, was chosen and of course, she knew exactly whom she wanted to give the $1,000 donation to.
A special thanks to the team at Van Horn Automotive for their support of Spirit Awards and generously offering to "Pay It Forward" to the community.
Congrats to Every Nominee of United Way's Spirit Awards
As we celebrated this year’s Spirit Awards, our team found inspiration in the poem “Ode to Our Ocean” by Amanda Gorman. While not everyone had the opportunity to read the quote engraved on this year’s awards, we wanted to take a moment to share and reflect on these powerful words together:
“The story of the ocean and the story of humanity
Are one and the same, a Great River that
Knows no borders and notes no lines,
Only ripples.”
— Amanda Gorman
The Spirit Awards are a celebration of those ripples — the countless acts of kindness, service and generosity that spread outward to strengthen our community in ways both seen and unseen.
While only one recipient was selected in each category, every nominee honored at the 2026 Spirit Awards represents the very best of Sheboygan County. Your compassion, leadership and dedication continue to inspire hope, create connection and leave a lasting impact on the lives of others.
United Way of Sheboygan County extends heartfelt gratitude to every nominee, sponsor, volunteer and attendee who helped make this year’s celebration so meaningful. Thank you for being part of the ripple effect that continues to move our community forward.
A special thanks our own volunteer for the day, Cassie Jo Ames from Cassie Jo Photography
