Jeri Bjorling Memorial Distinguished Volunteer of the Year Award

Each year, since 1981, United Way of Hancock County has presented the "Distinguished Volunteer Award" to an individual who has demonstrated dedication and willingness to serve the community through their overall involvement with United Way as a volunteer and leader, as well as with other organizations in the nonprofit sector.

In 2012, the award was renamed the "Jeri Bjorling Memorial Distinguished Volunteer Award" in her memory. She died in November of 2011. She was the current United Way board chair when she passed away. Jeri served a successful 30-year career in banking, including First Federal, Huntington Bank, Sky Bank (formerly the Ohio Bank), Bank One (formerly Diamond Savings and Loan). More recently, Jeri worked as a sales manager for Rowmark (Clear Path).

While career-focused, Jeri spent her entire life giving back to the community, civic and charity involvement and served on a variety of boards of directors and trustees. Many of the organizations she impacted include The United Way, Children's Mentoring Connection, Handbags that Help, Hope House, American Business Women's Association, and Hancock Reads. Jeri was also a former deacon for the First Presbyterian Church in Findlay. Jeri touched many lives through multiple organizations, and it gave her the greatest joy. One of her favorite civic events was Camp Fire USA's Incredible Kid Day, and she was the driving force behind their "On Behalf of Youth" Award.

Jeri was the first woman member of the Findlay Kiwanis Club, and a graduate of Hancock Leadership, 1989. Jeri was the first winner of the Athena Award, given by the Findlay-Hancock County Alliance in 2000, for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.

Dave Cassidy was selected as the 2020 Recipient of the Jeri Bjorling Memorial Distinguished Volunteer Award

      

Dave Cassidy has been a United Way campaign volunteer since 1990, and a dedicated volunteer in his community for over 50 years. He served on the volunteer leadership council of the American Cancer Society, where he participated in the sale and delivery of daffodils. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and has served as a past grand knight. Dave retired from Chrysler and was selected to receive United Way’s Jeri Bjorling Memorial Distinguished Volunteer Award in 2020. Due to his selfless altruism and compassion over the decades, Dave has embodied what it means to be a United Way Volunteer. No matter the situation, Dave was ready for the work that was needed to help others in times of great need. 

In his free time, Dave coached several little league baseball teams that helped many youths on their journey. In addition, he was also one of the first coaches for the Hancock Soccer Association in Findlay when it started back in the 1970s! And his volunteerism at St. Michael’s Archangel Church is quite extensive: he has been a Eucharistic Minister since 1974, served as a member of the parish council, chaired the Diocesan Development fund, worked on many Thanksgiving food drives, served on and chaired the Parish finance committee, and was a member of the committee for expansion for the Bright Road facility. Dave is the living example of servant leadership and that retirement can be used as an opportunity to give back to the community while being a phenomenal role model for the many generations to come. 

Past Recipients

  • David Cassidy, 2020
  • Larry McDaniel & the VITA Team, 2019
  • John Platt, 2018
  • Karen Jones and William Doyle, 2017
  • Michael "Chick" Padula, 2016
  • Dave Whikehart, 2015
  • Doug Hiegel, 2014
  • Jeanne Rustic, 2013
  • David Cassidy, 2012
  • Jeri Bjorling, 2011
  • Harold "Puck" Rowe, 2010
  • Larry Busdeker, 2009
  • Randy Lohoff, 2008
  • Dick Schaefer, 2007
  • Beth Heck, 2006
  • Tom Donnell, 2005
  • Duane Jebbett, 2004
  • Deb Arce, 2003
  • Don & Karen Manley, 2002
  • Robert Howard, 2001
  • Sandy Kozlevcar, 2000
  • Peg Logsdon, 1999
  • Don Badertscher, 1998
  • William Recker, 1997
  • G. Norman Nicholson, 1996
  • Barbara Deerhake,1995
  • Ivan Gorr, 1994
  • Joe & Claire Davis, 1993
  • John Arnold, 1992
  • Marjory Kennedy, 1991
  • William Sackman, 1990
  • Charles Hymes, 1989
  • Robert Feller, 1988
  • G. Fred Graf, 1987
  • James Brucklacher, 1986
  • Grant Young, 1985
  • William Ruse, 1984
  • Jack Harrington, 1983
  • Edwin Heminger, 1982