The Community Volunteer Award is awarded annually to outstanding volunteers in our community. Award Winners are given the opportunity to designate a donation to their charity, or charities, of choice from of the Junior League of Topeka in their name. These individuals have given selflessly of their time, hard work, and acts of kindness to our community and deserve to be recognized.

In 2025, we were proud to honor Angie Boles for her unwavering dedication and support to the Topeka Community through her work with Project Restore.

Nominations for the 2026 Community Volunteer Award will be accepted in Spring 2026!

PAST RECIPIENTS:

2024 Brenda Dietrich

2023 Greg Greenwood
2022 Tara Dimick
2021 Melissa Brunner
2020 Patti Mellard
2019 Glendon & Sara Wilhelm
2018 Marlou Wegener
2016 Ken Scott
2015 Sue Edwards
2014 Jude Quinn
2013 Debra Clayton
2012 Betty Lou Pardue
2011 Charles Moore
2010 Nicole Janke
2009 Dr. Jerry Farley
2009 Bill Moore
2008 William (Bill) Sneed
2007 Randy Austin
2006 Debra Clayton
2005 Jeanne Clark
2004 Dr. Larry J. Bradford
2003 Melissa Masoner
2003 Lorean Williams
2002 Tom Schwartz
1999 Jamesina Evans
1998 G. Joseph Pierron
1997 Maureen Weiss
1996 Mary Ann Hamilton
1995 LeeAnn Eckert
1995 Phyllis Todd
1994 Billie Hall
1993 Rita Wolf
1992 Joseph Thompson
1991 Gary Livingston
1990 John Stauffer
1989 Marg Roberts
1988 Mary Alice Beach
1988 Bob Petro
1987 Eldon Danenhauer
1987 Helen Hocker
1987 Jane Patrick
1985 Ann Garvin
1985 Balfour Jeffrey
1984 Dr. Quentin Groves
1984 Jane Morrissey
1984 Mary Patterson
1984 Phil Wallsmith
1983 Adrian Apel
1983 Shirley Boatwright
1983 William Haag
1982 Cora Catt
1982 Gerald Christensen
1982 Adabelle Haughawout
1981 Ed Love
1981 Ed Podmore
1981 Doris West
1980 Beth & Irwing Sheffel
1979 Ray Browning
1979 Winnie Crapson
1979 Virginia Lundy
1979 Richard Thornburg
1978 Bill Drenner
1977 Thomas Clevenger
1977 O’Thene Leonard
1976 Ruth Buckwalter
1976 Lou Falley
1975 Grant Cushinberry
1975 Bonnie Purnell
1974 Joan Duncan
1974 Virginia Feeley
1974 Dr. Kenneth Godfrey
1974 Dr. Karl Menninger
1973 Peggy Greene
1973 Twink Lynch
1973 Catharine Menninger
1973 Patricia Morris
1973 Marge Parker
1973 Jackie Stroud

2024 Community Volunteer Award Winner, Brenda Dietrich, designated her gift to YWCA for all the work they do for women in our community.

2023 Community Volunteer Award Winner, Greg Greenwood, designated his gift to be split between Washburn University Alumni Association & Foundation, Salvation Army of Topeka, Capper Foundation, and State Street Elementary School.

2022 Community Volunteer Award Winner, Tara Dimick, designated her gift to the Junior League of Topeka to support child welfare.

2021 Community Volunteer Award Winner, Melissa Brunner, designated her gifts to the Helping Hands Humane Society, The Topeka Rescue Mission and Community Action, Inc. for the Diaper Depot.

2020 Community Volunteer Award Winner, Patti Mellard, designated her gifts to STARS and the YWCA’s Center for Safety & Empowerment for their efforts to end human trafficking.

2019 Community Volunteer Award Winners, Glendon & Sara Wilhelm, designated their gift to Party with a Purpose.

2018 Community Volunteer Award winner, Marlou Wegener, designated her gift to the Topeka Civic Theatre.

2016 Community Volunteer Award winner, Kenneth R. Scott, designated the Boys and Girls Club of Topeka as the recipients of his winning donation.

2015 Community Volunteer Award winner, Sue Edwards, designated CASA of Shawnee County, a past Junior League of Topeka project, to receive her winning donation.

2014 Community Volunteer Award winner, Jude Quinn, designated the organization he co-founded, Silverbacks, to receive his winning donation.

2013 Community Volunteer Award winner, Debra Clayton designated the Doorstep to receive her winning donation.

2012 Community Volunteer Award winner, Betty Lou Pardue designated the Helping Hands Humane Society to receive her winning donation.

2011 Community Volunteer Award winner, Charles Moore designated the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center to receive his winning donation.