“In a year that included record rains, NCAA sanctions, freeway construction, foreclosures, the rise and fall of Senate Bill 5, and high unemployment, there is still an enormous value to taking stock in the good news in our community, and to celebrate those who are achieving so much in a difficult time for so many,“ said Doug Kridler, president and CEO of The Columbus Foundation.
At The Columbus Foundation’s Community Champions Celebration, its third annual civic pride event, the 2011 champions were announced to a packed room of Columbus enthusiasts and business, nonprofit, and academic leaders on December 14. The Champions event recognizes community leaders and businesses who have received national or international distinction for being among the best of the best.
The following honorees were among those who participated in the discussion and celebration:
Paul Astleford, president and CEO of Experience Columbus, spearheaded efforts to have the city included in National Geographic’s “Best Fall Trips 2011,” amongst a host of other awards.
Jeni Britton Bauer, owner and co-founder, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, which won “#1 Exotic Ice Cream in America” by Food Network and “Best Ice Cream in the United States” by Out Magazine, to name just a couple.
Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, who was named 2011 Wildlife Hero by the National Wildlife Federation.
Ken Schnacke, president and general manager, Columbus Clippers, who led the organization to winning the 2011 International League Governors Cup and Triple A National Championship.
Keith A. Myers, president, MSI Design, whose design for Bicentennial Park helped the new park win the designation “One of America’s Best New Parks” by The Atlantic Cities.
Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., superintendent and CEO, Columbus City Schools, who was named “2012 Ohio Superintendent of the Year” by the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA).
Michael Wilkos, senior officer, Community Research and Grants Management, The Columbus Foundation, named Columbus’ Biggest Fan in the November 2011 issue of Columbus Monthly.
The honorees reflected on their awards and shared their thoughts on where Columbus is today and how the community can progress into the future. They all struck upon a common theme—the importance of social offerings, openness, and beauty for emotionally connecting to a community. They also highlighted that this connection in turn drives economic growth.
“The bicentennial is a year where we have an opportunity to take a new level of pride in ourselves. Communities that have pride in themselves are the most economically viable communities in the world,” Astleford said.
Each honoree talked about the role of the community in fostering their success.
Jeni Britton Bauer started making ice cream at age 22 and her brand, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, has taken off at an incredible rate.
“We were raised by this community, 100 percent. It’s not just a place where you can start a business with very little skills, no money and a little idea. You can learn as you go from those with more experience acting as mentors. It’s a remarkable community to me,” Britton Bauer said.
Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., superintendent and CEO, Columbus City Schools, who grew up and graduated from Columbus City Schools, emanates Columbus pride and passion.
“This city is a city of opportunity because people work together. We’re sitting here at The Columbus Foundation and people are providing their wealth to help others lift up their own lives,” Harris said.
All of the honorees, several of whom spent 2011 traveling the nation and the world for their work, found the perception of Columbus as a cow-town to have been all-but erased.
“Flying around the world and talking to people, Columbus has been transformed. I’m so proud I’m in Columbus. Columbus gives so much to the community. There is no city that can touch it,” Jack Hanna said.
Traveling around the country on a book tour for “Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home,” Britton Bauer found the same to be true.
“The perception of Columbus is changing. It’s definitely up-and-coming.”
The ice-cream maven also has advice for how Columbus can propel itself into the future.
“Let’s support emerging Columbus, emerging artists, businesses. It’s wonderful to support big ideas but let’s also support small ideas at the street-level. That’s what is going to change the face of the city,” Britton Bauer said.
The award-winning Bicentennial Park will certainly play a major part in marking 200 years of Columbus in 2012, but the park has already brought the community closer together.
“When we opened the park there was tremendous diversity, acceptance, tolerance and generosity. It was evident all summer long at the park. I think it speaks well to the character of Columbus and the future of the city,” Keith Myers, designer of Bicentennial Park said.
The list of awards bestowed on the Community Champions and the city at large in 2011 were expansive and communicated a clear message to the honorees.
“It says a lot about how our city is growing and progressing, how modern we are with the times. There is no place that has what we have. How well everything fits together, not to mention how friendly we are,” Ken Schnacke, president and general manager, Columbus Clippers said.
Schnacke also wants to inspire Columbus to take a deep breath and enjoy the great community we have built.
“Life is going so fast. The economic times are bad. We are all working so hard to fit in jobs, careers, and families. Maybe the Bicentennial is a time to enjoy everything this community offers. It might be a good excuse to do that,” Schnacke said.
The celebration wrapped up with comments from Columbus Foundation Governing Committee chairman David Meuse that echoed many of the ideas presented by the Community Champions.
“The donors are the blessing of the Foundation. I believe in philanthropy and the lasting value of philanthropy. That’s what we are all about here at The Columbus Foundation,” Meuse said.
More information about local nonprofits is available 24/7 through the Foundation’s online resource, PowerPhilanthropy, which is available to everyone who wants to be more informed about the nonprofits they care about. PowerPhilanthropy makes it easy to donate to the causes you care about at www.columbusfoundation.org.
Philanthropy Friday is a feature series produced by The Columbus Foundation that highlights Columbus area nonprofit organizations. For more nonprofit information, follow us on Twitter at @colsfoundation and like The Columbus Foundation on Facebook.
