Brooks family and Fill the Freezer program honored for community impact
NELSONVILLE, Ohio – The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) celebrated the impact of donors and doers across the 32-county region and presented its 2025 awards during its Dec. 2 virtual Giving Tuesday event.
“Philanthropy is fueling innovation and opportunity across Appalachian Ohio,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO president and CEO. “Giving Tuesday is a day to pause and celebrate the progress we’ve made and to look ahead to new possibilities, especially the ones inviting us to be bolder together.”
To watch FAO’s 2025 virtual Giving Tuesday celebration in its entirety, visit https://youtu.be/r63gb8DM4IY.
The event included the presentation of two awards, recognizing a family and a growing movement that are advancing flourishing people and communities across Appalachian Ohio:
Chaddock Philanthropist of the Year
The Chaddock Philanthropist of the Year Award, celebrating those who have made an outsized difference in Appalachia through philanthropy, was presented to the Brooks family for a legacy of giving that spans business, communities and generations.
When brothers William “Bill” Brooks and F.M. “Mike” Brooks launched what is known today as Rocky Brands, they not only deepened their family roots in Appalachian Ohio but also began what is now a four-generation family tradition of generosity in service to community.
Mike, who grew up in Nelsonville, and his wife, Pam, who grew up in Hocking County, have spent their lives modeling a spirit of giving back. Together, they spearheaded several beautification and revitalization projects in the Nelsonville business district and were instrumental in the extension of the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway.
Selected as one of FAO’s first Child of Appalachia Honorees in recognition of his heritage, success and longtime commitment to philanthropy in the region, Mike also served as an FAO Board member for nine years. In 2023, Pam established the Pamela Jones Brooks Legacy Fund for Hocking County as just one way of giving back to the community where she was raised.
Jason Brooks, Mike’s son and the fourth generation to run the business, and his wife, Kristi, are carrying forward the family’s commitment to community.
Kristi has devoted countless hours to the Logan-Hocking School District, her church and her community. She was part of the committee that built the Chieftain Center on Logan High School’s campus and serves as vice president of the Hocking County Community Fund (HCCF), one of FAO’s 15 affiliate foundation partners.
As president and CEO of Rocky Brands, Jason has continued his father’s civic generosity. The Rocky Community Improvement Fund – fueled by donations from the company’s employees, community fundraising events and in partnership with the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation – has awarded nearly $1 million in grants to support the people of Nelsonville and the surrounding communities. The fund has invested in everything from healthy food and educational opportunities to programming for older adults. Earlier this year, Rocky Brands stepped forward to provide matching dollars for gifts made at an HCCF event, doubling the impact of donors.
Watch the Brooks family’s Chaddock Philanthropist of the Year video: https://youtu.be/-OzVowM42xs.
Changemaker of the Year
The Changemaker of the Year Award, given to an organization, team or individual that is advancing transformative changes in the region, was presented to the Fill the Freezer program – and the countless individuals who come together each year to support this growing tradition of giving.
It started with a simple question: What if the individuals, businesses and organizations who support local 4-H and FFA youth by buying the pigs they raise and then sell at the county fair’s livestock sale donated those purchases to fill the freezers of local food pantries?
The Community Foundation for Perry County (CFPC), an FAO affiliate foundation partner, put that question to the test in 2021. Forty-four pigs were donated, others provided funds to cover the meat processing costs, and more than 5,000 pounds of sausage were provided to Perry County’s food pantries. By its third year, CFPC’s Fill the Freezer campaign was providing enough sausage to stock the county’s food pantries for an entire year.
Over the past five years, similar campaigns have expanded to six additional counties served by FAO affiliate foundation partners: Hocking, Gallia, Vinton, Harrison, Lawrence and Morgan counties. This year, 225 animals were donated through these campaigns, resulting in 33,011 pounds of meat to feed those who need it most.
Since 2021, the program has provided a combined 92,000 pounds of fresh, local protein – vital nourishment that is among the most expensive grocery items for both households and the food pantries that assist them. Earlier this year, the program received state recognition when Philanthropy Ohio presented Julie Paxton, the driving force behind CFPC’s Fill the Freezer campaign, its Philanthropy Innovation Award.
The Fill the Freezer program will expand to additional counties in the coming year and demonstrates the difference caring and giving individuals can make when they work together to address the needs in their communities.
Watch the Fill the Freezer Changemaker of the Year video: https://youtu.be/TCfCZqt9z5k.