The Northern Columbus Kiwanis Club selected seven community volunteers to receive the Community Support Award for the volunteerism they displayed in 2025 . This award, co-sponsored by the Clintonville and Worthington Spotlight neighborhood newspapers, went to Linda Schelkopf, Gregg Webb, George Bleimes, Tom and Sandy Trinter, and Carlos and Renee Quinones. Each volunteer was nominated by a friend, neighbor, or past award winner who recognized their invaluable contributions to the community and society. Learn more about how these selfless and generous individuals serve in a variety of ways. Along with this honor Northern Kiwanis will make donations to nonprofit charitable organizations.To read their impressive biographies please click below.designated by these recipients.
Meet the Community Support Award winners for vounteer service in 2025!
Linda Schellkopf, 2025 Community Support Award recipient
Gail Harbert, manager of the Cat Welfare Association and who nominated Linda, says, “Linda has volunteered at Cat Welfare for 16 years. Speaking on behalf of the staff and the cats, it’s hard to summarize how much Linda does for us and means to us at Cat Welfare. Linda comes every day to feed lunch to every cat that is housed in a cage, and exchanges pleasantries with the staff, her fellow volunteers, and visitors. Linda purchases all of the Fancy Feast cat food she feeds the kitties, an average of 200 cats!
“Some of our free-roaming cats have quite an appetite and bonded with Linda while they were housed in a cage. Like clockwork, those cats gather and wait for Linda’s arrival, her welcoming voice, and their treats. Additionally, Linda patiently works with unsocialized kittens, often wearing them in a sling all afternoon as they become comfortable with human interaction. Some of our timid cats also recognize Linda as an ally and allow her to assist in their care.
“Linda’s calming voice, expected smile, and heart of gold mean just as much to our staff as it does to the cats! She is a true friend to many. It is an honor to have Linda lend her time and talents.”
As part of the Northern Kiwanis Community Support Award, a $100 donation will made to Cat Welfare in recognition of Linda’s volunteer work.
Gregg Webb, 2025 Community Support Award recipient
Greg was nominated by Aly Hartung, the colunteere coordinator at the Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resource Center. Aly says, “A volunteer like Gregg is someone our community can count on. He handles a wide range of tasks without hesitation—picking up grocery donations, delivering produce and pantry bags to CRC senior clients, and helping clients get what they need. In the food pantry, Gregg takes on whatever job is required, including stocking shelves, organizing supplies, and unloading other food donation deliveries.
“Gregg’s contributions don’t stop at food assistance. When Clintonville-Beechwold CRC clients need basic home repairs, he steps in with the skills and reliability to get the job done safely and correctly. He shows up consistently, follows through, and makes sure people have what they need to feel secure in their homes. Gregg has “adopted” a CRC senior client in Clintonville who he regularly helps with home maintenance tasks, leaf raking, snow shoveling, etc. After months of hard work, her yard and landscaping are back to looking cared for thanks to Gregg. This helped ease the client’s anxiety about how neighbors feel about the upkeep of her property.
“What stands out most is Gregg’s kindness and dependability. He doesn’t look for recognition; he simply does the work because it matters. His willingness to help in so many different ways strengthens the entire community and makes a real difference in the lives of the people we serve.
As part of the Northern Kiwanis Community Support Award, a $100 donation will be made to the Clintonville-Beechwold CRC in recognition of Gregg’s volunteer work in the community.
George Bleimes, 2025 Community Support Award recipient
George’s nominator, Rebecca Princehorn, says, “George is one of those omnipresent community volunteers. He volunteers everywhere! George serves the community willingly and happily, finding joy in community service.
“George has served as volunteer coordinator for the weekly Worthington Farmers Market and for other Worthington Partnership events. He has also been a board member and Pack Volunteer for the McConnell Arts Center.
George has also served with the Ohio Wildlife Center as a volunteer in the Education Department and as a volunteer animal handler.”
As part of the Northern Kiwanis Community Support Award, a $100 donation will be made to the McConnell Arts Center in recognition of George’s volunteer work in the community.
Sandy & Tom Trinter 2025 Community Support Award recipients
Tom and Sandy Trinter nominated by Northern Kiwanis member Shirley Palumbo, are lifelong Clintonville residents. Tom and Sandy help each other with the causes and activities that interest them and are quick to help make things run efficiently. They have donated to and volunteered with local non-profits including the Clintonville Historical Society (CHS), Clintonville Woman’s Club (CWC), the Ohio State University Alumni Band , the King Avenue Methodist Church, and the Salvation Army band in Columbus.
Sandy, an artist, has donated artwork to non-profits for fund-raising auctions, raising significant funds including $10,000 for CHS. Sandy has served as treasurer and financial secretary at CWC . As a member of the philanthropic group Social Services, she has made blankets for children entering foster care among other community projects. At her church, Sandy has had many leadership roles from organizing Sunday School to serving on the Archive Committee.
Sandy and Tom have volunteered together at the woman’s club annual mum sales.
Tom serves on the Board of Governors of TBDBITL Alumni Band. He plays in the band and helps organize requests for band performances. He plays at the Worthington Memorial Day parade, the Upper Arlington 4th of July parade, and summer concerts. Tom volunteers with the Scioto Valley Band, and serves on the Salvation Army Hilltop Advisory Council.
Shirley says, “Tom and Sandy are enthusiastic, positive, and talented. They care about their neighbors and they support each other and their community.”
As part of the Northern Kiwanis Community Support Award, a $100 donation will be made to The Ohio State University Foundation in recognition of Tom and Sandy’s volunteer work in the community.
Renee and Carlos Quinones were nominated by previous award recipient Hope Roberts. When asked why they choose to volunteer, Renee and Carlos responded: “Volunteering keeps us engaged and active. The impact is huge” “Giving back…it’s a blessing to bless others.”
Hope says, “Volunteering has been a consistent value for Renee and Carlos. Throughout their professional careers (Renee is a social worker; Carlos worked in finance at the state level), they found ways to give back. Carlos coached youth sports at the local Y and Renee acted as a volunteer guardian for many years. Retirement gave them more time to serve, individually and as a couple.
“Twice a month, Carlos offers 45 minute individual instruction answer questions about using a smart device (phone, tablet, laptop) and Renee delivers books to home-bound individuals.
“Together they have delivered food boxes for the Resource Pantry, produce for CRC’s Kinship Care families, are pen pals for the “Letters to Elders”, and are monthly BESA volunteers supporting many organizations such as Charity Newsies. In addition to formal volunteering, Renee and Carlos make themselves available to their neighbors and social network providing practical and emotional support to many.
“Their volunteerism is derived from the gratitude they feel and which is expressed in their commitment to their community, family, and friends.”
As part of the Northern Kiwanis Community Support Award, a $100 donation will be made to The Little Bottoms Free Store in recognition of Renee and Carlos’s volunteer work in the community.
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Community Support Award Recipients 2025
The Northern Columbus Kiwanis Club selected seven community volunteers to receive the Community Support Award for the volunteerism they displayed in 2025 . This award, co-sponsored by the Clintonville and Worthington Spotlight neighborhood newspapers, went to Linda Schelkopf, Gregg Webb, George Bleimes, Tom and Sandy Trinter, and Carlos and Renee Quinones. Each volunteer was nominated by a friend, neighbor, or past award winner who recognized their invaluable contributions to the community and society. Learn more about how these selfless and generous individuals serve in a variety of ways. Along with this honor Northern Kiwanis will make donations to nonprofit charitable organizations.To read their impressive biographies please click below.designated by these recipients.
Meet the Community Support Award winners for vounteer service in 2025!
Gail Harbert, manager of the Cat Welfare Association and who nominated Linda, says, “Linda has volunteered at Cat Welfare for 16 years. Speaking on behalf of the staff and the cats, it’s hard to summarize how much Linda does for us and means to us at Cat Welfare. Linda comes every day to feed lunch to every cat that is housed in a cage, and exchanges pleasantries with the staff, her fellow volunteers, and visitors. Linda purchases all of the Fancy Feast cat food she feeds the kitties, an average of 200 cats!
“Some of our free-roaming cats have quite an appetite and bonded with Linda while they were housed in a cage. Like clockwork, those cats gather and wait for Linda’s arrival, her welcoming voice, and their treats. Additionally, Linda patiently works with unsocialized kittens, often wearing them in a sling all afternoon as they become comfortable with human interaction. Some of our timid cats also recognize Linda as an ally and allow her to assist in their care.
“Linda’s calming voice, expected smile, and heart of gold mean just as much to our staff as it does to the cats! She is a true friend to many. It is an honor to have Linda lend her time and talents.”
As part of the Northern Kiwanis Community Support Award, a $100 donation will made to Cat Welfare in recognition of Linda’s volunteer work.
***********************************************************************************************
Greg was nominated by Aly Hartung, the colunteere coordinator at the Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resource Center. Aly says, “A volunteer like Gregg is someone our community can count on. He handles a wide range of tasks without hesitation—picking up grocery donations, delivering produce and pantry bags to CRC senior clients, and helping clients get what they need. In the food pantry, Gregg takes on whatever job is required, including stocking shelves, organizing supplies, and unloading other food donation deliveries.
“Gregg’s contributions don’t stop at food assistance. When Clintonville-Beechwold CRC clients need basic home repairs, he steps in with the skills and reliability to get the job done safely and correctly. He shows up consistently, follows through, and makes sure people have what they need to feel secure in their homes. Gregg has “adopted” a CRC senior client in Clintonville who he regularly helps with home maintenance tasks, leaf raking, snow shoveling, etc. After months of hard work, her yard and landscaping are back to looking cared for thanks to Gregg. This helped ease the client’s anxiety about how neighbors feel about the upkeep of her property.
“What stands out most is Gregg’s kindness and dependability. He doesn’t look for recognition; he simply does the work because it matters. His willingness to help in so many different ways strengthens the entire community and makes a real difference in the lives of the people we serve.
As part of the Northern Kiwanis Community Support Award, a $100 donation will be made to the Clintonville-Beechwold CRC in recognition of Gregg’s volunteer work in the community.
**********************************************************************************************
George’s nominator, Rebecca Princehorn, says, “George is one of those omnipresent community volunteers. He volunteers everywhere! George serves the community willingly and happily, finding joy in community service.
“George has served as volunteer coordinator for the weekly Worthington Farmers Market and for other Worthington Partnership events. He has also been a board member and Pack Volunteer for the McConnell Arts Center.
George has also served with the Ohio Wildlife Center as a volunteer in the Education Department and as a volunteer animal handler.”
As part of the Northern Kiwanis Community Support Award, a $100 donation will be made to the McConnell Arts Center in recognition of George’s volunteer work in the community.
**********************************************************************************************
Tom and Sandy Trinter nominated by Northern Kiwanis member Shirley Palumbo, are lifelong Clintonville residents. Tom and Sandy help each other with the causes and activities that interest them and are quick to help make things run efficiently. They have donated to and volunteered with local non-profits including the Clintonville Historical Society (CHS), Clintonville Woman’s Club (CWC), the Ohio State University Alumni Band , the King Avenue Methodist Church, and the Salvation Army band in Columbus.
Sandy, an artist, has donated artwork to non-profits for fund-raising auctions, raising significant funds including $10,000 for CHS. Sandy has served as treasurer and financial secretary at CWC . As a member of the philanthropic group Social Services, she has made blankets for children entering foster care among other community projects. At her church, Sandy has had many leadership roles from organizing Sunday School to serving on the Archive Committee.
Sandy and Tom have volunteered together at the woman’s club annual mum sales.
Tom serves on the Board of Governors of TBDBITL Alumni Band. He plays in the band and helps organize requests for band performances. He plays at the Worthington Memorial Day parade, the Upper Arlington 4th of July parade, and summer concerts. Tom volunteers with the Scioto Valley Band, and serves on the Salvation Army Hilltop Advisory Council.
Shirley says, “Tom and Sandy are enthusiastic, positive, and talented. They care about their neighbors and they support each other and their community.”
As part of the Northern Kiwanis Community Support Award, a $100 donation will be made to The Ohio State University Foundation in recognition of Tom and Sandy’s volunteer work in the community.
**********************************************************************************************
Renee and Carlos Quinones were nominated by previous award recipient Hope Roberts. When asked why they choose to volunteer, Renee and Carlos responded: “Volunteering keeps us engaged and active. The impact is huge” “Giving back…it’s a blessing to bless others.”
Hope says, “Volunteering has been a consistent value for Renee and Carlos. Throughout their professional careers (Renee is a social worker; Carlos worked in finance at the state level), they found ways to give back. Carlos coached youth sports at the local Y and Renee acted as a volunteer guardian for many years. Retirement gave them more time to serve, individually and as a couple.
“Twice a month, Carlos offers 45 minute individual instruction answer questions about using a smart device (phone, tablet, laptop) and Renee delivers books to home-bound individuals.
“Together they have delivered food boxes for the Resource Pantry, produce for CRC’s Kinship Care families, are pen pals for the “Letters to Elders”, and are monthly BESA volunteers supporting many organizations such as Charity Newsies. In addition to formal volunteering, Renee and Carlos make themselves available to their neighbors and social network providing practical and emotional support to many.
“Their volunteerism is derived from the gratitude they feel and which is expressed in their commitment to their community, family, and friends.”
As part of the Northern Kiwanis Community Support Award, a $100 donation will be made to The Little Bottoms Free Store in recognition of Renee and Carlos’s volunteer work in the community.
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