21st Annual Do Something Great Award Recipients Announced
Macon County – Seven area residents have been named recipients of the 21st Annual Do Something Great awards. This annual awards program honors individuals and organizations who have made a significant positive impact on Macon County through giving of their time, talent and/or treasure. The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation (HICF) has sponsored this program for the past 21 years. This year, awardees are honored in seven different categories.
The 2025 recipients are listed below.
All awardees and their guests will be honored at a presentation luncheon held Wednesday, August 6. Media are encouraged to attend the awards ceremony.
For more information about the Do Something Great awards program, call Natalie Beck at 217.429.3000 or send an email to nbeck@heartofillinois.org. To view a list of past recipients, visit www.heartofillinois.org/award-recipients.
Award for Excellence in Inclusion
Rev. Courtney Carson, External Relations Vice President, Richland Community College
Nominated by Tamika Thomas, Director of CEJA, Richland Community College
Nominated for his commitment to uplifting underserved populations and creating pathways to sustainable economic independence. The EnRich program, founded and led by Rev. Carson, is a one-of-a-kind workforce development program. At its core, EnRich delivers more than just education; it delivers essential skills, technical skills and changed lives. Beyond his work at RCC, Rev. Carson consistently advocates for systemic change through community engagement, public speaking and policy partnerships.
Outstanding Young Philanthropist
Logan Hallam, 14 years old, Eagle Scout of Troop 134
Nominated by Heather Perdue, Scovill Zoo
Nominated for completing a volunteer project for Scovill Zoo. He led the construction of the new Tortoise house project to offer Ella the Galapagos Tortoise more time outside throughout the year when the weather begins to change. This project was budgeted at $2,500 needed in donations. Logan raised almost $6,000. The excess money then went directly to Scovill Zoo as a monetary donation.
The Ellsworth Dansby Jr. Volunteer Award
Sam Johnson, AIA, LEED AP, REFP, Retired principal architect at BLDD Architects, Inc.
Nominated by Jesse Blunt, Thinkwell Makerspace Innovations Executive Director
Sam is an outstanding difference maker, fulfilling high impact board and advisory positions within the community. As a retired architect, Sam is no stranger to community building. Leader, volunteer, and donor - without his guidance and influence, we would not be the successful young organization we are today. Sam is a model of personal strength and ethical standards and exemplifies the spirit of the phrase one of our donors coined in a recent request letter: "Do good work".’ Sam is the current Thinkwell volunteer board president. He is also a world-class brass instrumentalist.
Outstanding Professional Partner
Paul Osborne, Decatur Tribune Publisher and Editor
Nominated by Heart of Illinois Community Foundation
Nominated for his dedication to serving the city of Decatur. The Decatur Tribune is an independent, locally owned weekly newspaper in Decatur. Paul is an amazing ally to the nonprofit sector in Decatur, providing a valuable platform for raising awareness, connecting with the pubic and promoting community engagement.
The Preston Jackson Arts Award
Barbara Dove, Artist and Former Executive Director for Gallery 510
Nominated by Jami Fawley, Decatur Area Arts Council Executive Director
Nominated for her lifelong dedication to the arts, Barbara is an award-winning artist. She has been associated with Gallery 510 Arts Guild, Ltd. since founding the organization in 1991. She retired as Gallery 510’s Executive Director in 2024. She was a founding member of Arts in Central Park. Barbara has a BFA in Fine and Studio Arts from Millikin University. She is committed to nourishing an interest in the visual fine arts as a public service.
Ray Batman Nonprofit Professional of the Year Award
Kelly Day, Chief Operating Officer, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois
Nominated by Jennifer Sedbrook, Executive Director, and Stacey LaFeber, Fund Development Professional, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois
Kelly has been on staff with our Council for almost three decades. Throughout her 30-year tenure at our organization, Kelly Day has proven herself to be a visionary with a strong commitment to the ideals of Girl Scouting - courage, confidence, character and, above all else, sisterhood. For 16 years Kelly served as our Chief Operating Officer, then served almost a year as interim CEO. In October 2024 she was named President, overseeing most of the internal operations of the Council and working closely with the CEO. Over the years in this leadership capacity, Kelly has helped to:
- Steer the Council through a consolidation and merger process.
- Evaluate the Council’s assets, including camp properties, enabling the Council to provide outdoor activities and innovative programs for girls, while being fiscally responsible.
- Guide our Council through the COVID-era, being creative about how best to deliver programs and services to girls amidst a pandemic.
- Energetically support our local volunteers, listening to them and uplifting their work.
- Initiate our Beyond Bars program with the Decatur Correctional Facility, bringing Girl Scouts to girls whose mothers may be incarcerated.
As Ray Batman was aware, it is not easy to work for a nonprofit organization. One’s own commitment to the organization’s mission is what makes it rewarding and worthwhile. Kelly has this commitment! Kelly’s dedication to her work is matched only by her passion for serving the greater Decatur community where she also has a long and varied history of giving back to her community, ensuring it remains vibrant and dynamic for years to come. A 2005 graduate of the Decatur Leadership Institute, Kelly has previously served Macon County through involvement with The Women’s Leadership Council of the United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois, Macon County Small Business Council, Project Success Advisory Committee, Decatur Rotary, and the Macon County Health Department Youth Task Force Group. She continues to serve her community through active memberships with the Macon County Conservation District Council and Decatur Area Women’s Network, and, of course, as President of Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, where she’s building tomorrow’s female leaders in Decatur – and beyond!
Robert and Bev Ketenbrink Community Commitment Award
Roberta Gorden, Community supporter
Nominated by Pete Pistorius and Duane Noland, Meridian Ag Foundation
In 2019, the Meridian Ag Foundation was formed to fund the construction of an agriculture shop, classroom, and greenhouse for the new ag program at Meridian High School. Over 500 donors, including individuals, local businesses and foundations contributed $1.7 million as the community exhibited tremendous support for this project.
Roberta K. Gorden, a lifelong resident of Blue Mound, provided the first lead gift for this project and is the largest individual donor for the successful capital campaign. Roberta’s early support generated tremendous fundraising momentum, spurring many to follow her philanthropic leadership. The Roberta K. Gorden Greenhouse was named in honor of her generosity. Raised on a sesquicentennial farm settled by her great, great grandfather William Gorden in 1863, Gorden is passionate about agriculture and the job opportunities available in horticulture, animal, crop and food sciences. With so many ag-related businesses in the area, she is hopeful students taking high school ag education classes and developing leadership skills through FFA will seek jobs locally. Roberta also supports several college scholarships.
