The Be More Awards is our community's way of honoring and applauding the outstanding, but often unrecognized efforts of our community volunteers.
A $1000 check was presented by the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County to each of the recipient's volunteer organizations in honor of their outstanding service at a recipient reception on May 5th, 2022 at City Hall (invite-only).
Did You Miss the Interactive Exhibit during the May Gallery Walk?Experience a virtual walk-through of our nominee and recipient gallery. Click below to view video and audio segments profiling each of the recipients. |
A COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, the IU Credit Union, the United Way of Monroe County and WTIU Public Television salute all of the nominees who give so generously of their time and talent to the community.
The Be More Awards are presented in partnership by:
THE 2022 BE MORE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Be More... Dedicated
(lifetime of service)
Nancy White- WonderLab Museum of Science, Health, & Technology
Be More... Impactful
(volunteer of the year)
Ben Wendell- Community Justice and Mediation Center
Special Recognition - Theresa Block
Theresa Block- Feral Cat Friends
Theresa Block has donated over 35 years of her life to reducing the population of feral, stray, and neighborhood cats in Monroe County. As a volunteer at Feral Cat Friends, Theresa Block has devoted years of tireless effort trapping, altering, vaccinating, and ear tipping (worldwide recognition that a cat has been spayed or neutered), and returning cats to the area of their capture or placing in a "community cat" colony where the cats receive food and shelter by a colony caregiver. Theresa's Trap-Neuter-Release efforts have greatly decreased the feral and stray cat population in Monroe County- ultimately improving the coexistence between outdoor cats and humans in our shared community.
Be More... Energized
(youth volunteer of the year)
Alexandra’s Army
Special Recognition - Maggie Loring
Maggie Loring- Community Kitchen of Monroe County
Maggie Loring is a Backpack Buddies volunteer, coming in every Thursday morning during the school year to assemble 350 backpacks. Maggie is essential in ensuring 350 backpacks each contain approximately 8 pounds of food that serves to supplement the families' food needs- each week. Maggie is always assisting the Community Kitchen whenever free time is available during her shift- such as putting donations away in the pantry. Maggie Loring is a vital part of the Backpack Buddies program at Community Kitchen and the effort to feed children in need within the Bloomington community.
Be More... Enlightened
(judge's choice)
Doug Storm- WFHB Community Radio
Be More... Bloomington
(collaboration award)
People’s Market Volunteers
Meet the People's Market Volunteers
Be More... Extraordinary
(volunteer program of the year)
WonderLab Museum of Science, Health, & Technology Volunteer Program
Jeanne Gunning and Diane David
Be More... Committed
(community-minded business)
Cardinal Spirits
View last year's Recipient Spotlight Playlist on YouTube or Facebook or below.
2022 Award Categories - Review the Award Eligibility Criteria
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The Be More… Dedicated Award honors a life-long volunteer in our community who is age 60 or older. This award is presented to an individual, or at times, to a couple. (Lifetime Achievement)
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The Be More… Impactful Award honors a volunteer or group who has impacted the community through their volunteer time and talent. All ages are considered. (Volunteer or Volunteer Group)
One award will be presented, but nominees may be recognized in any of the following categories:
o Animal Welfare
o Arts & Culture
o Board Member
o Education / Literacy
o Environmental / Sustainability
o Health, Wellness, Recreation, or Fitness
o Human Services
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The Be More… Energized Award is presented to an exceptional young person age 21 or under, or to a youth group whose members are predominantly in this age group. (Youth Category)
Nominees will be recognized in the following categories:
- College student or student group
- School-age individual or group
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The Be More… Bloomington Award honors volunteers who have exhibited the power of community and collaboration. This award is presented to an individual or a group. (Community Collaboration)
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The Be More… Extraordinary Award honors the efforts and impact of the engagement professionals within a nonprofit organization. This new award will shine the spotlight on the extraordinary efforts and innovations that volunteer engagement staff work to facilitate in our nonprofits. This award also gives community members an opportunity to recognize the organizations for which they volunteer. (This award is open only to 501 (c)3 tax-exempt organizations) (Volunteer Engagement Program/Professional)
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The Be More… Connected Award honors a business with a local presence in Monroe County in recognition of its dedication to being a community-minded company. (Business Engagement award includes no cash award)
View the 2021 Award Recipients Here
Although our in-person celebration was canceled, we celebrated all of the nominated volunteers virtually on April 22, 2021. View the Honored Nominees Stories
A COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, the IU Credit Union, the United Way of Monroe County and WTIU Public Television salute all of the nominees who give so generously of their time and talent to the community.
The Be More Awards are presented in partnership by:
