Changemaker Award Recipients
Since 2012, Community Foundation DeKalb County has recognized individuals and groups who have made a meaningful difference in our community through the Changemaker Award. Presented each year at our Annual Meeting, the award honors those who have made a significant impact in DeKalb County and helped bring about positive change.
While each recipient’s contributions are different, they have all found a way to turn an idea, need, or passion into something that makes DeKalb County a better place. Take a look back at past Changemaker Award recipients and the work that earned them this special recognition.
2026 – Tammy Stafford
The 2026 Changemaker Award was presented to Tammy Stafford for her dedication to improving the health and well-being of others.
As the founding director of St. Martin’s Healthcare, Tammy spent nearly 20 years building the organization into a vital resource for uninsured and underinsured residents in DeKalb, Noble, Steuben, and LaGrange counties. Under her leadership, the clinic started as a small volunteer-run medical clinic and became a comprehensive healthcare organization offering medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health services. Tammy also led the creation of the clinic’s mobile healthcare unit, which brings care directly to communities throughout northeast Indiana.
Tammy’s leadership has changed countless lives, and the organization that she built will continue serving our community for years to come.
2025 – Mike Watson
The 2025 Changemaker Award was presented posthumously to Mike Watson in recognition of his lifelong commitment to improving DeKalb County.
Mike served the community as an Auburn City Council member and later as a DeKalb County Commissioner, while also dedicating his time to numerous local and regional boards and organizations. He played an active role in expanding local trails, helping establish the DeKalb County Mental Health Coalition, and supporting projects that improved the quality of life throughout DeKalb County. His wife, Marion, and their family accepted the award on his behalf.
2024 – Renee Florin
The 2024 Changemaker Award was presented to Renee Florin for her dedication to serving individuals and families throughout DeKalb County.
Through her work at Sonshine Ministries, Renee has helped countless neighbors navigate difficult seasons with compassion and hope. Her service extends beyond the ministry through Auburn Rotary, organizing the annual USPS Food Drive, and coordinating the Salvation Army’s bell ringing campaign. No matter where she’s serving, Renee’s focus has always been on helping others and bringing people together to strengthen the community.
2023 – Robert “Bob” Wilder
The 2023 Changemaker Award was presented to Bob Wilder for more than 60 years of service to DeKalb County.
Bob has found multiple ways to serve his community. As an educator, public servant, and dedicated volunteer, he has helped shape DeKalb County while encouraging others to become involved. His passion for preserving local history and his longtime involvement with organizations like the St. Joe-Spencerville Lions Club reflect a lifetime dedicated to serving others.
2022 – Tom Bassett
The 2022 Changemaker Award was presented to Tom Bassett for more than 40 years of service as Scoutmaster of Auburn Boy Scout Troop 169.
Tom’s dedication and leadership has helped shape generations of young leaders. During his time as Scoutmaster, over 100 Scouts earned the rank of Eagle Scout, with many more following in their footsteps. His commitment to mentoring young people continues to make a lasting impact on the DeKalb County community.
2021 – The Community Foundation’s First 25 Board Members
As part of the Community Foundation’s 25th anniversary celebration, the 2021 Changemaker Award honored the Foundation’s first 25 board members.
Their vision helped establish the Community Foundation in 1996 and laid the groundwork for decades of local philanthropy in DeKalb County. They believed in the power of community giving and helped build the Foundation from the ground up. Thanks to their vision and leadership, they created a lasting legacy that continues to benefit the community today.
Those recognized included Don Allison, Kenneth Arnt, Margie Bortner, Barbara Bratt, J. Daniel Brinkerhoff, Fred Brown, Chapman Christian, Richard Dircksen, Don Farrington, Ron Feller, Robert Kiefer, Kim Lobsiger, Richard Mappin, Donna Martin-Boseker, Kathryn McNerney, Robert Menzie, J. Bryan Nugen, James Ronner, Brian Ruegsegger, Fran Sechler, Donn Starkey, Jeffrey Stephens, Meredith Storer, Jeffrey Turner, and Michael Tullis.
2020 – The James Foundation
The 2020 Changemaker Award was presented to The James Foundation for its continued dedication to improving the quality of life in DeKalb County.
A longtime partner of the Community Foundation, The James Foundation has supported countless programs and initiatives that strengthen the community. Through its generosity and commitment to giving back, the Foundation has helped local organizations expand their impact and create opportunities that continue to benefit DeKalb County.
2019 – Norm Yoder
The 2019 Changemaker Award was presented to Auburn Mayor Norm Yoder in recognition of his commitment to making the community a better place.
After serving 20 years as mayor, Norm was honored for his steady leadership and his role in guiding Auburn through two decades of growth and change. Throughout his time in office, he worked alongside residents, businesses, and community organizations to strengthen the city and improve the quality of life for those who call Auburn home.
2018 – Judy A. Morrill
The 2018 Changemaker Award was presented to Judy A. Morrill for her lifelong commitment to the Garrett community.
Judy dedicated her time and generosity to countless organizations and initiatives, including Garrett-Keyser-Butler Schools, the Garrett Public Library, and many community projects. She was also a generous supporter of efforts that continue to shape Garrett today, including the Judy A. Morrill (JAM) Center. Through her service and philanthropy, Judy left a lasting impact on Garrett and DeKalb County.
2017 – Janelle Graber
The 2017 Changemaker Award was presented to Janelle Graber for her leadership at Eckhart Public Library and her commitment to literacy in DeKalb County.
Under Janelle’s leadership, Eckhart Public Library became one of the first organizations to establish an endowment fund with the Community Foundation, helping ensure continued support for the library and its programs. She also led the restoration of the library fountain, secured a permanent home for The Librarian sculpture, and was one of five women who inspired the creation of a literacy endowment that continues to support reading programs for all ages.
2016 – Auburn-Waterloo Trail Committee
The 2016 Changemaker Award was presented to the Auburn-Waterloo Trail Committee for restoring and improving the Auburn-Waterloo Trail.
When the nearly 40-year-old trail began to deteriorate, the committee brought together local governments, businesses, organizations, and volunteers to restore it. More than 150 individuals and organizations contributed funding or volunteer labor to the project, creating a safer and improved trail for the community to enjoy.
To help ensure the trail would be maintained for years to come, the Community Foundation offered a $10,000 matching grant if the committee could raise $10,000 to establish an endowment fund. The committee accepted the challenge, creating a permanent source of support for the trail’s future.
At the time of receiving the award, the Auburn-Waterloo Trail Committee included Dick Shankle, Ken Metzger, Joe Dunn, Becky Dunn, Bill Spohn, Don Stuckey, Randy Deetz, Dave Wolff, Jay Kern, Paul Miller, Maury Winkler, Barry Blevins, and Tena Woenker.
2015 – Don & Kathy Steininger
The 2015 Changemaker Award was presented to Don and Kathy Steininger for their generosity and vision for DeKalb County. The Steiningers gifted the land and office building that became the Steininger Center for the Community Foundation DeKalb County, which still serves as the Foundation’s home today, complete with a plaza and community greenspace.
Don Steininger recognized that the Community Foundation needed a permanent home—a place where nonprofits could gather, ideas could grow, and philanthropy could flourish. Thanks to Don and Kathy’s generosity, the Foundation has a welcoming space to serve the community today and for generations to come.
2014 – Auburn Arts Commission
The 2014 Changemaker Award was presented to the Auburn Arts Commission for enriching DeKalb County through arts and culture.
For decades, the Auburn Arts Commission has created opportunities for residents of all ages to experience the arts close to home. Their signature Sculptures on the Square exhibits in 2007 and 2010 helped establish Auburn as a destination for outdoor public art and inspired what has become a long-standing community tradition. In addition, they continue to encourage creativity through programs like the annual Snowbound Writers’ Contest and the Medal of Arts Award, recognizing local artists who have made lasting contributions to the arts in DeKalb County.
2013 – Peg Yoder
The 2013 Changemaker Award was presented to Peg Yoder for her years of quiet service and dedication to the DeKalb County community.
Peg helped establish the Kids in the Neighborhood after-school program at Auburn Presbyterian Church, creating a safe and welcoming place for children each week. She also volunteered with Friends Table and served as a HOPE mentor for local students, helping children build confidence in reading and math.
Peg’s commitment to serving others also extended to the Community Foundation. After serving on several Foundation committees, she joined the Board of Directors in 2004, where she helped guide grantmaking decisions and chaired the scholarship committee for eight years. She also encouraged families to create endowment funds that continue to support DeKalb County for generations to come.
2012 – Melanie Ives & Bertie Rynearson
The inaugural Changemaker Award was presented to Melanie Ives and Bertie Rynearson for leading two projects that brought the community together to improve local playgrounds.
When Riverdale Elementary needed to replace a single piece of broken playground equipment, Melanie Ives saw an opportunity to do more. What began as a small repair grew into a community-wide effort to build an entirely new playground. As the project leader, Melanie organized volunteers and led the fundraising campaign, helping raise $80,000 in less than a year to create a safer, updated place for children to play.
Bertie Rynearson was recognized for helping make play more inclusive at Rieke Park. After learning that the playground did not have equipment accessible to children using wheelchairs, she challenged the Auburn Classic Noons Lions Club to raise $17,000 for adaptive swings. With support from local businesses, civic organizations, and community members, the project became a reality, ensuring more children could enjoy the playground together.