On April 24, 2025, United Way of Sheboygan County hosted its annual Spirit Awards at The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake. The annual event honors individuals, teams, and organizations that exemplify the spirit of volunteerism and a heart of service. This year's ceremony was particularly special, marking the 90th anniversary of United Way's presence in Sheboygan County.
Honoring the 2025 Nominees
The Spirit Awards recognized a diverse group of nominees across several categories:
Community Spirit Award: This category honors a corporation that has made a substantial impact in the community by promoting volunteerism and inspiring the spirit of giving to their employees
-
Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin
-
HSA Bank
-
Oostburg State Bank
Group or Team Volunteer Award: This category honors a group of two or more people that volunteer together on the same project
-
Melody Kuether and Diana Schultz (Bookworm Gardens)
-
Anjenette Pond & Kate Miller (Sheboygan North High School)
-
Great Marriages Mentor Couples
-
Love Inc's Furniture Ministry Team
-
Sheboygan Jaycees
-
Sheboygan South High School Faculty
Outstanding Volunteer Board of Directors Award: This award category honors a nonprofit board that has exceptional leadership in driving a nonprofit agency.
-
Black-American Community Outreach
-
Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center
-
Lighthouse Recovery Community Center
-
Never Give Up
-
The Production Farm
Transformative Philanthropy Award: A new award category for this year, this recognizes commitment to a nonprofit’s stability and strategic success through empowerment and engagement.
-
Sheb Deck (Founders Joa Cain & Spencer Hurlburt)
-
Jenna Illarmendi (Sheboygan Jaycees)
-
Richard & Kristin Bemis (Nourish Farms)
Youth Volunteer Star Award: This category honors an individual volunteer, under the age of 18, that embodies the spirit of giving.
-
Annabelle Paulsen
-
Sophia Lieffring & Yesenia Vera
-
Emmaline Miller
-
Mattea Abhold
Volunteer of the Year Award Nominees: This category honors an individual volunteer that embodies the spirit of giving.
-
James Basler (Lighthouse Recovery)
-
Allison Blake (BACO, Love Inc.)
-
Jim Chapman (Nourish Farms)
-
Alexis Corbett (Sheboygan Lakers Figure Skating Club)
-
Pam Dekker (Salvation Army Sheboygan)
-
Michael Finney (The Production Farm)
-
Char Gumm (Salvation Army Sheboygan)
-
Deborah Hoerres (Heaven's Gait Ranch)
-
Marie Loehrke (Nourish Farms)
-
Berta Meyer (Sheboygan Jaycees)
-
Randy Meyer (The Weill Center)
-
Anastacio "Chach" Molina Jr. (Lighthouse Recovery)
-
Amy Reinemann (Boys & Girls Clubs of Sheboygan Co.)
-
Doreen Salkowski (Love Inc.)
-
Greg Schoemer (United Way of Sheboygan Co. - Campaign Engagement Committee)
-
Kathy Scott (Sheboygan Lakers Figure Skating Club)
-
Abby Sigler (United Way of Sheboygan Co. - Campaign Engagement Committee)
-
Danielle Smith (Sheboygan Jaycees, Sheboygan Warming Center)
-
Nichola Suprick (Sheboygan Co. Food Bank)
-
Chris Tempas (Fresh Meals on Wheels Sheboygan Co.)
-
Marlene Verstraate (Love Inc.)
Lifetime Achievement Award: This category honors an individual volunteer who has exhibited a lifelong commitment to volunteerism and community stewardship.
-
Wayne Bennin (Scouts of America)
-
Peggy Brennan (REINS)
-
Sharon Brulla (Sheboygan Jaycees, Warming Center)
-
Judy Diener (Generations - An Intergenerational Center)
-
Phyllis Schippers (The Production Farm)
-
Judy Schmidt (Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization - Bridgeway)
All of this year’s Spirit Awards nominees are winners in every sense of the word. Their selfless acts of service, leadership, and generosity light the way for a stronger, more connected Sheboygan County.
While one recipient is selected in each category, the Spirit Awards are a celebration of every individual who was nominated — each one making a meaningful impact in their own unique way. We encourage you to read more about these inspiring changemakers and join us in honoring their outstanding contributions in the full Spirit Awards program. Their dedication, compassion, and impact on Sheboygan County truly deserve to be celebrated.
Celebrating the Winners
The ceremony celebrated the remarkable contributions of this year's award recipients:
-
Volunteer of the Year: Michael Finney (The Production Farm)
-
Group or Team Volunteers of the Year: Sheboygan South High School
-
Youth Volunteer Star Award: Sophia Lieffring & Yesenia Vera, for their "Under the Wing Mentoring" initiative
-
Outstanding Volunteer Board of Directors: Lighthouse Recovery Community Center in Sheboygan
-
Community Spirit Award: Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin
-
Lifetime Achievement Award: Wayne Bennin, for over 30 years of service with local Scouts troop
Spirit Awards In the News
This year’s Spirit Awards captured the attention of local media, who helped shine a spotlight on the inspiring stories of those making a difference in Sheboygan County.
- United Way Spirit Awards Held on April 24 at The Osthoff – Sheboygan Sun by Tracy Folz
-
2025 United Way Sheboygan County Spirit Award Winners Impact Youth Mental Health – Sheboygan Press by Alex Garner and Gary Klein
A Celebration of Local Volunteers
The Spirit Awards serve as a testament to the power of volunteerism and the positive change it brings to our community. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all nominees and winners, and we thank them for their unwavering commitment to making Sheboygan County a better place for all.
The success of the Spirit Awards this year was possible by the generous support of:
- Presenting Sponsor: Masters Gallery Foods
- Award Sponsors: Sartori, Van Horn Automotive
- Spirit of Service Sponsors: Bemis Manufacturing, O'Hare Wealth Management, UnitedOne Credit Union
- Pay It Forward Sponsors: Kohler Co., Christine Loose, Amy Reinemann, Stephanie Schaefer
- Spirit Awards Committee Members:
Sara Biederwolf, Collins State Bank
Nicole Brown, Kohler Co.
Alec Bartolai, Sargento Foods
Kirsten Coenen, Kohler Credit Union
Marquita Norton, Johnsonville Sausage
Lauren Splivalo, Van Horn Automotive
Johannah Wenig, St. Nicholas Hospital
Michelle Zuengler, HSA Bank
