The Be More Awards honors and applauds our community volunteers' outstanding
but often unrecognized efforts.
Thank you for helping us celebrate!
the 2025 Be More Awards
If you could not make the event, you can view the recording from the Community Access Television Services archive at tinyurl.com/2025-Be-More-Awards-Recording.
Congratulations to this year's Award recipients:
- Be More Bloomington- Bloomington Community Orchard Volunteers (Bloomington Community Orchard)
Presented to an individual or group demonstrating excellence in addressing the issues of 2024, such as housing/homelessness, immigration, and food insecurity issues.
- Be More Creative- Jake May (Stone Belt Arc, All Abilities Choir)
Honors volunteer work within the arts community.
- Be More Dedicated- Vanessa McClary (Kiwanis Club of South Central Indiana)
Presented to an individual or couple over the age of 60 for their lifetime of service.
- Be More Energized- Emma Smith (People & Animal Learning Services)
Honors an individual or group under the age of 25.
- Be More Engaged- Erin Parks (Constellation Stage and Screen)
Honors an individual or a group employed at a business or organization who engages in volunteer activities and programs on behalf of their employer.
- Be More Impactful- Society of St. Vincent de Paul Serving Monroe County Volunteers (St. Vincent de Paul Serving Monroe County)
Honors the volunteer or volunteer group of the year.
- Be More Involved- Jeanne Payne (Buskirk-Chumley Theater and Wildcare INC)
- Be More Phenomenal- Jane Martin (Lake Monroe Water Fund)
Presented for outstanding leadership through board, commission, or committee involvement.
Presented to an individual who has volunteered for at least three non-profit organizations for a year or longer. The recipient will select which of the non-profit organizations they serve will receive the cash award.
Each Be More Award recipient will receive a $1,000 cash award provided by the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County for the recipient's nonprofit organization, in honor of their outstanding service. All organizations must have a 501(c)3 tax-exempt status (or school or government equivalent exempt status) - no exceptions.
Nominations for the 2026 Be More Awards will open during February 2026. Links to nomination forms and more will be highlighted on this page once available. View nomination eligibility and checklist.
Our 2025 Nominees
Semhar Araya - Gamma Nu Chapter Delta Sigma Theta
Steve Bailey - Bloomington Parks and Recreation
Marsha Barreiro - People and Animal Learning Services
Kathi Bethell - Cancer Support Community
BSWERS Volunteers - Bloomington Severe Winter Emergency Shelter
Claudia Gage - Windfall Dancers Inc.
Zachary Greenbaum - Goat Conspiracy Sanctuary
Marci Hibbard - My Sister’s Closet Monroe County
Lantern Support Services Volunteers - Lantern Support Services
Maytal Lefkowitz - Challah for Good at IU Hillel
Robert Lian - Big Brothers Big Sisters Monroe County
Devin May - Monroe County Civic Theater
Josie Miller - Goat Conspiracy Sanctuary
Kay Olges- Windfall Dancers Inc.
Meera Popkin-Tarack - Multiple Organizations
Adam Ploshay - Windfall Dancers Inc
Eddie Relick - Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington
Special Olympics Monroe County Volunteers - Special Olympics Monroe County
Zachary Taylor - Beacon
A Community Collaboration
The Be More Awards have been made possible in partnership with City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, IU Credit Union, United Way of South Central Indiana, and WTIU Public Television.
Get Inspired!
View Previous Year's Recipients & Nominees
