YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Paige Fortner, community engagement and development director at Sight for All United, is candid about the importance of philanthropists in a community.

“We cannot do what we do without these individuals and the work that they do,” she says. “You don’t feed people without philanthropy. You don’t get people to their medical appointments, or whatever the case might be, or get people the services that they need. That starts with someone being generous and willing to donate and to give.”

Fortner and Katelynn McBee, development coordinator at Potential Development School for Students with Autism, are co-chairing the Association of Fundraising Professionals Mahoning-Shenango Chapter’s annual National Philanthropy Day Award Celebration. 

The event will take place Nov. 14 at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center in Boardman.

This year, the Mahoning-Shenango AFP Chapter is recognizing honorees in eight categories:

Outstanding Philanthropist: Fred Moran and Family.

Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist: Daprile Insurance Group.

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser: Rev. Lewis W. Macklin 

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraising Group: The Butler Institute American Holiday Committee.

Outstanding Youth Fundraiser: Isabella Williams.

Outstanding Foundation: Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.

Legacy Award (presented posthumously): David and Benita Penner of Blessed Memory.

Special Recognition for Valley Impact: Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning Valley Volunteers.

The AFP chapter received more than 15 nominations this year.

“What stood out to me was probably the diversity,” Fortner says. 

Many of the nominees are connected “in their own little pockets of the Valley” and operate very differently from each other and are equally important.

“The variety of nonprofits that they support and the variety of causes that are important to them is really cool,” McBee  affirms. 

Examples of that include the Butler’s volunteer fundraising committee, Habitat for Humanity’s volunteer group and Williams.

“All of them have a passion for the need they’re serving,” Fortner says. 

In some cases, personal experience is driving that passion, McBee reflects. They know personally how local organizations can affect people’s lives and want to give back. 

In many cases, honorees are uncomfortable with the recognition but recognize the role philanthropy plays in the community and the many forms it can take, McBee says. 

“They’re not doing it to receive the award, but you never know what can come from your own recognition,” she continues. “We know that our nominees aren’t in it for that. They’re in it because they want to give back to our community. But being honored and being featured on the news and things like that could really inspire other people to step up and start organizations or give and volunteer.”

Pictured at top: Paige Fortner and Katelynn McBee are co-chairing the Association of Fundraising Professionals Mahoning-Shenango Chapter’s annual National Philanthropy Day Award Celebration.