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Open Call for Nominations to Honor Individuals Who Are Committed to Serving Others


2016 Jenco Foundation Fund Award Nominations Due June 1

Nelsonville, OHDo you know a visionary leader in your community? That person who has always gone above and beyond to make others’ lives better? It’s someone you know is a hero, but you wish everyone else did too. The Jenco Awards were created to honor these individuals, the people who work passionately in the service of others in Appalachian Ohio.

To honor them, the Jenco Foundation Fund committee is seeking nominations for the 2016 Jenco Awards. The Jenco Awards, which began in 2002 to honor the legacy of Father Lawrence Martin Jenco, are cash awards for individuals in Appalachian Ohio who have performed visionary leadership in the service of others in the region. Nominations are invited from the public and must be postmarked or emailed by Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Nomination forms and additional information about the Jenco Awards are available on the fund’s webpage.

Founded in 2001 by journalist Terry Anderson, the Jenco Foundation was established to honor Father Lawrence Martin Jenco. A Catholic priest who was kidnapped in Beirut, Lebanon while serving as director of Catholic Relief Services, Father Jenco was an inspiration to many, including fellow captive Anderson, because of his compassion and service to others.

The Jenco Foundation joined the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) in 2011 as an endowed fund to ensure that Father Jenco’s legacy and the mission of the Fund lives on. Today, the Jenco Foundation Fund Committee and FAO work together to celebrate Father Jenco’s legacy by recognizing unsung heroes throughout Appalachian Ohio whose spirit lives on through their work.

“Each year we learn about Appalachian Ohioans who go above and beyond to serve others in their communities,” said Melody Sands, a member of The Jenco Foundation Fund committee. “These individuals who give so generously of themselves represent the principles and actions that Father Jenco lived and it is a privilege to see his legacy carried on and to honor it through these awards.”

The Jenco Award recognizes individuals for their service contributions. Their service demonstrates direct, caring action that contributes to the quality of life of individuals living in Appalachian Ohio. Jenco Awardees are celebrated for visionary leadership in the service of others. Their commitment to others is not simply a part of their daily jobs; it is a passion. Nominations are encouraged across areas essential to quality of life, including arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services. To watch videos showcasing the stories of past Jenco Award recipients, visit the Jenco Foundation Fund’s webpage at www.AppalachianOhio.org/Jenco.

“We know that citizens throughout our region have friends and neighbors who go above and beyond to serve others in their community,” said Cara Dingus Brook, president and CEO of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. “The Jenco Award provides an opportunity for us all to nominate everyday heroes in our lives, recognizing their visionary leadership in the service of others that goes far beyond their daily jobs.”

For more information on the Jenco Foundation Fund, the Jenco Award, and how to nominate someone, please visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/Jenco or call 740.753.1111. Gifts to the Jenco Foundation Fund are tax deductible and can be made in a number of ways, including cash, gifts in wills, and life insurance. To make your donation, please designate the Jenco Foundation Fund and mail to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, PO Box 456, Nelsonville, OH 45764. Donations can also be made online by visiting our online giving page and selecting the Jenco Foundation Fund when making a donation.

About the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation creates opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. For more information about FAO, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org.

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