Celebrating Service to Others
The annual Humanitarian of the Year Award honors those who have dedicated their lives to others.
Honoring Stephanie Stenger
The leader of numerous nonprofit boards and community initiatives will be recognized at Springfield’s National Philanthropy Day celebration on Nov. 18.
Stephanie Stenger has been named the Humanitarian of the Year for her volunteer leadership of Springfield nonprofits and community initiatives, particularly for her role in Junior League of Springfield’s founding of Isabel’s House Crisis Nursery.
Stenger is CEO of Springfield Land LP, a real estate development company. She has served in leadership roles with numerous nonprofits, including Junior League of Springfield, Care to Learn, Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, Springfield-Greene County Library District’s Board of Trustees, Friends of the Zoo and Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Stenger was also integral in Moxie Cinema’s conversion to a nonprofit in 2010. She currently serves as president of Moxie Cinema, an executive committee member of Legal Services of Southern Missouri and a board member of the Library Foundation.
Past Humanitarian of the Year Honorees
The award criteria describe a humanitarian as “an individual who has the courage to take decisive action, the wisdom to face aggressive challenges, and the willingness to sacrifice to affect these causes that have a long-term impact on the betterment of the community.” The award is designed to recognize a living person; posthumous nominations are not accepted. The nominations will be evaluated by an independent committee of three members of the clergy and three community leaders under the direction of the Chamber. The honoree typically receives a $5,000 cash award, which they have traditionally donated to a favorite charity.
- 2024: Sheila Michaels, school librarian and director of the BookBag program
- 2023: Dr. Heather Lyons-Burney, volunteer pharmacist and board president for My Neighbor’s Charitable Pharmacy
- 2022: Andrea Bishop, executive director of the Betty and Bobby Allison Ozarks Counseling Center
- 2021: Dr. Robin Trotman, infectious diseases specialist with CoxHealth
- 2020: Steve Edwards, CEO of CoxHealth
- 2019: Jill Bright, retired founder and executive director of Diaper Bank of the Ozarks
- 2018: —
- 2017: Dr. David and Linda Brown, founders of the Gathering Tree and Eden Village, for their work with the homeless
- 2016: Hearld Ambler, retired Managing Partner of FORVIS LLP, for his longtime work assisting seniors with paper and online tax preparation
- 2015: Kurt Larson, Springfield attorney and founder of Safe and Sober Missouri anti-drug and -alcohol program for teens
- 2014: Morey Mechlin, retired executive director of Care to Learn, advocacy on behalf of children
- 2013: Shawn Askinosie, socially conscious entrepreneur and philanthropist
- 2012: Randy Russell, advocate for the arts and children
- 2011: Roseann Bentley, lifetime of community service
- 2010: Doug Pitt, Care to Learn and efforts in Tanzania
- 2009: Roger D. “Dusty” Shaw Jr. and William Shaw, work in Thomasville and Oregon County
- 2008: Bill Stalnaker, Boys and Girls Club and The Kitchen
- 2007: Marie Prater, The Kitchen Foundation
- 2006: Pat Walker, Founders Park and Springfield beautification
- 2005: Bill & Virginia Darr, Families for Children
- 2004: Dr. Judith Gonzalez, Hand in Hand Ministries
- 2003: Wade E. Palmer, Help Give Hope
- 2002: Dr. John Bentley, Health needs of the underserved
- 2001: Harold Bengsch, Springfield-Greene County Health Department
- 2000: Judge Thomas Mountjoy, Teen Court
- 1999: Paul & Cyndy Teas, Camp Barnabas
- 1998: John Harp, Greene County Foster Program
- 1997: Dr. Jim Blaine, Greene County Medical Society
- 1996: E.E. “Johnny” Johnson, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Missouri
- 1995: Rev. Dorsey Levell, Council of Churches of the Ozarks
- 1994: Linda Duncan and Janie Brunette, Multiple Sclerosis Wellness Program
- 1993: Leonard Spellman, Children’s Shoe Bank/Kiwanis
- 1992: Calvin Allen, Springfield Community Center
- 1991: Sister Lorraine Biebel, The Kitchen
- 1990: Mary Beth O’Reilly, Hospice
Award Criteria
The selection committee shall consider:
... all people in Southwest Missouri, regardless of age, race, sex or religion and shall also consider any recommendations from the general public;
... the visibility of the cause or the person in the community so that others will be inspired by their humanitarian activities;
... that the person may be a volunteer or an employed person, and if employed, the quality of the humanitarian effort shall exceed that called for by the position;
... that because the award recognizes the human factor in humanitarianism, the quality of the recipient’s personal involvement with others in need of assistance or support will be carefully considered.