Grafton, WI – Ozaukee Nonprofit Center is pleased to announce the return of the “Ozaukee Impact Awards”—an award ceremony that celebrates individuals, groups, and companies that have made a significant impact in the community through their philanthropic efforts in 2025. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, August 20th, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:30 pm at the Ozaukee Nonprofit Center.
The Ozaukee Impact Awards seek to recognize local change-makers and the impact they had on the community over the past year. “This event is an opportunity for the Ozaukee County community to come together and celebrate all the amazing work our local nonprofits, and their generous volunteers and supporters have done over the past year,” said Ozaukee Nonprofit Center Executive Director, Carissa Barnes.
Here are the nominees for each category:
Nonprofit Emerging Leader of the Year
Jake and Mitch Worzalla – Worzalla Brothers
Julia Sollazo – Schlitz Audubon Nature Center / Lions Club
Julie Hoover – Family Sharing of Ozaukee County
Martha Derocher – The Arts Mill
Martin Schmidt – Port Washington Main Street
Mya Masse – Partners with Paws Service Dogs
Sarah La Duke – Advocates of Ozaukee
Shannon McCann – Balance, Inc.
Tina Perry – Just Listen Inc.
Nonprofit of the Year
Cedarburg Friends of the Library
Family Sharing of Ozaukee County
Habitat for Humanity Ozaukee
Junior Woman’s Club of Mequon‑Thiensville
Ozaukee Family Services
Ozaukee Food Alliance
Riveredge Nature Center
Community Stewardship of the Year
Ansay and Associates, LLC, Ansay Development, Ansay International
Bloomin’ Olive, LLC
Grafton Area Chamber of Commerce
H.Knox Development Co.
Orangetheory Fitness Mequon
Ozaukee County Department of Public Works
Port Washington Main Street
That Taco Guy, LLC
Worzalla Brothers
Volunteer of the Year
Allison DiCriscio – Guardians of the Children
Andy Normile – Habitat for Humanity Ozaukee
Cheri Hesse – Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge
Duane Helms – Feith Family YMCA
Mary Karnitz – Port Washington State Bank
Jim Meyer – Habitat for Humanity Ozaukee
John Sigwart – Greater Port Washington Kiwanis Club
Julia Sollazo – Mequon Nature Preserve, Inc / Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Julie Shiff – Balance, Inc.
Kit Walters, Pat Fairchild and Jim Ravet – Riveredge Nature Center
Lori Steinbach – Riveredge Nature Center
Lorraine Halls – The Food Pantry, Inc. of Port Washington
Mark & Nancy Gierach – Ozaukee Food Alliance
Mary Ann Velnetske – Ozaukee County Historical Society
Ralph Luedtke – Port Washington Lions Club
Sommer Robinson – Ozaukee Family Services (United Way of Northern Ozaukee program)
Community Collaboration Award
Balance, Inc. and Happy Place Cooking Space
Community Services Navigator Program – Advocates of Ozaukee, Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center, Ozaukee County, Ozaukee Family Services, Sirona Recovery, and United Way of Northern Ozaukee
Family Promise of Ozaukee County and Kohler Credit Union
Forward Careers, Inc. and Kettle Moraine YMCA
Four Seasons – Special Olympics Ozaukee County, Blossom IDD, Happy Place Cooking Space, and the Blue Lotus Center
Ozaukee Homeless Coalition – Advocates of Ozaukee County, Balance, Inc., Center for Veterans Issues, Family Promise of Ozaukee County, Habitat for Humanity Ozaukee, Ozaukee County Human Services, Ozaukee Family Services, Ozaukee Food Alliance, Ozaukee County Sheriffs, Salvation Army, Saukville Food Pantry, St. Vincent de Paul Ozaukee, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and United Way of Northern Ozaukee County
Registration ends August 13th, 2025, at midnight. You can purchase tickets online at https://ozaukeenonprofitcenter.org/ozaukee-impact-awards/.
Media Contact:
Claire Pavon, Events & Communications Coordinator
(262) 376-5272