Celebrating a legacy of giving, leadership, and service across Eastern Jackson County

Heartland Awards

At Truman Heartland Community Foundation, we believe in the transformative power of philanthropy.  Nominated by our Truman Heartland Community Foundation Board, our Heartland Awards honor individuals, businesses, and nonprofits whose tireless efforts uplift our region—championing education, community wellbeing, and opportunity for all. 

The nominees are honored annually at the Toast to our Towns Gala, as we Celebrate Philanthropy throughout the Eastern Jackson County region and beyond.

View Past Honorees

 

Meet the 2025 Heartland Nominees

 

2025 Humanitarian 

Michele Shanahan DeMoss
A lifelong philanthropist, Michele Shanahan DeMoss has always made caring for others a family priority. Through the vision of her daughter Blair at age 11, she founded Blair’s Foster Socks to support underserved children throughout the community. This mission expanded greatly after the tragic loss of her Blair to celebratory gunfire in 2011. Michele also became a relentless advocate for public safety and successfully championed Blair’s Law that passed in Missouri in 2024, criminalizing reckless celebratory gunfire and protecting future generations.

 

2025 Corporate Citizen

Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal
With nearly a century of operations in Kansas City, Cornell Roofing supports local nonprofits, educational scholarships, and community development—evident in projects like Englewood Arts and Habitat for Humanity. Led by breast cancer survivor Mary McNamara, the company continues its legacy of service.

 

2025 Heartland Service Award

Metropolitan Community College (MCC)
For more than 100 years, MCC has empowered tens of thousands of students—many first-generation—to graduate and thrive. Through initiatives like their Scholarship Program, partnership with Truman Heartland in their Job Skills Program, as well as the Path Forward Capital Campaign and Civic Action Plan, MCC remains a beacon of workforce and educational leadership in our region.

 

 

View past honorees

 

 

Heartland Awards History: Celebrating Philanthropy Since 1996

The Heartland Awards showcase the inspiring people and organizations shaping our community. Their stories encourage others to engage, volunteer, and donate—helping us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and caring region.  Each year, the THCF Board of Directors selects honorees in the following categories, reflecting the breadth and depth of community impact:

 

Humanitarians of the Year

The Humanitarian Award recognizes individuals or couples whose impactful charitable giving and volunteerism enhance the wellbeing of our region.

HUMANITARIANS OF THE YEAR
1996Byron Constance2012Dave & Shirley Wurth
1997Barbara J. Potts2013Dr. Bridget McCandless
1998David P. Ross2014Norman E. Swails
1999Bob Reeds2015Mike and Jan McGraw
2000Chuck and Colleen Foudree2016Terry and Betty Snapp
2001Helen French2017Brad and Sandy Cox
2002Allen Lefko2018Robert (Bob) F. Glaser
2003Dr. Robert E. “Bud” Hertzog2019Tom & Carman Duvall
2004Junior Service League of Independence2020Brent Schondelmeyer and Lee Williams
2005John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil2021Jim and Mary Stilley
2006Dr. Frederick Hahn2022Steve and Joan Israelite
2007 2023LaShawn Walker
2008Larry Moore2024Doug and Helen Hatridge
2009Dave Jeter & Jim Kidwell2025Michele Shanahan DeMoss
2010John and Nancy Kimak  
2011Gene and Joanne Cable  

Corporate Citizens of the Year

The Corporate Citizens Award highlights businesses that demonstrate extraordinary community leadership, support for nonprofits, and a culture of giving.

CORPORATE CITZEN AWARD
2000Blue Ridge Bank & Trust2015Mid-Continent Public Library
2001American Sterling Bank2016The Missouri Mavericks
2002Jim Kidwell Construction2017Cable-Dahmer Auto Group
2003Commerce Bank2018Tingle Flooring
2004Haldex2019GEHA
2005Meyer Music2020Speaks Chapels
2006The EXAMINER2021Continental Siding
2008MeraVic2022Summit Homes
2009Data System International2023Stewardship Capital
2010Centerpoint Medical Center2024Community America Credit Union
2012Community of Christ (Community Partner Award)2025Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal
2013Silverstein Eye Centers  
2014Corporate CopyPrint  

 

Heartland Service Awards

The Heartland Service Award honors organizations that advance civic engagement, educational opportunity, and collective progress.

HEARTLAND SERVICE
2007Harry S. Truman Library & Museum (Silver Legacy Award)2021Centerpoint Medical Center, Lorraine Duncan MD;  Truman Medical Center,  Laura A. Peckham, RN, MHA, MBA;  St. Mary’s Hospital, Angela Haley, RN;   Lee’s Summit Medical Center, J.C. Ireland, DO;   St. Luke’s East, Susie Krug, MHA, BSN, RN;    Children’s Mercy Hospital – Amy Latimer RN, BSN, MSN, CPN
2011Rotary District 60402023Hope House
2012(Founders Recognition) Carol Sue Bass, Kyle Conway, Lloyd Uptegrove, Carole Roper Park Vaughan and Luva Vaughan2024CAPA (Child Abuse Prevention Association)
2015The Independence Young Matrons2025Metropolitan Community College
2016Community Services League  
2018Blue Ridge Bank & Trust Co. (Community Partner Award)  
2019Drumm Farm Center for Children  
2020Junior Service League of Independence  

Dr. Paul M. Thomson Professional Advisor of the Year

The Professional Advisor of the Year Award honors financial advisors who encourage philanthropic strategies and help clients support public good through planned giving.

PROFESSIONAL ADVISOR OF THE YEAR
2010Bunk Farrington2019George N. Koepp
2011Rick Henks2020Adam Kliethermes
2012R. James Stilley Jr. 2021 
2013Cliff Jones2022Clint Anderson
2014Doug Hammer2023Lori Watson
2015Dennis Bacon2024Craig Bolger
2017Ron Finke2025 

 

Interested in Supporting the Gala?

Heartland Awards are presented each year at our Toast to Our Towns Gala, attended by over 700 community leaders, fundholders, and philanthropic partners. For more information about sponsorship, tickets, or the gala, visit our Annual Gala page

Learn more about our Past Honorees