The Chamber recognizes outstanding performance and service to the Lawrence and Douglas County business community and community at large.
Citizen of the Years
Each year at the Annual Meeting, The Chamber recognizes a community leader who has shown a lifetime commitment to our community.
2024: LaVerne Epp (posthumously)
2023: Smitty Belcher
2022: Joanne and Ron Hurst
NOMINATION FORM – CITIZEN OF THE YEARS
2020: Craig Weinaug
2019: John Ross
2018: Shirley Martin-Smith
2017: Mike Amyx
2016: Kurt von Achen
2015: Jean Milstead
2014: Hank Booth
2013: Web & Joan Golden
2011: John McGrew
2010: David Ambler
2009: Don & Alice Johnson
2008: Hon. Deanell Tacha
2007: Tom Groene
2006: Dolph Simons, Jr.
2005: Bob Georgeson
2004: Hortense “Tensie” Oldfather
2003: Bob Stephens
2001: Nancy Hambleton
2000: Jim Schubert
1999: Al & Julie Hack
1998: Art Wolf
1997: Jessie Branson
1996: Olin Petefish
1995: Warren Rhodes
1994: Jim Owens
1993: Charles Stough
1991: Ross Mosser
1990: Dick Barber
1989: Arden Booth
1988: John Vogel
1987: Ray Nichols
1986: Art Heck
1985: Dolph Simons, Sr.
1984: Art Weaver
ATHENA Award
The ATHENA Award, presented by Crown Automotive, celebrates the potential of all women as valued members and leaders of the community and recognizes those who support them. The ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of professional accomplishment, including women and men, who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and who also open paths so that others may follow.
2023: Diana Pierron Carlin
2022: Evan Williams
2021: Marci Francisco
2019: Hon. Jean Shepherd
2018: Nancy Thellman
2017: Cindy Maude
2016: Cindy Yulich
2015: Rep. Barbara Ballard
2014: Sec. Sandy Praeger
2013: Beverly Smith Billings
2012: Sharon Spratt
2010: Jane Bateman
2009: Judy Billings
2008: Hon. Deanell Tacha
2007: Vickie Randel
2006: Barbara Carswell
2005: Sue Morgan
2004: Marilyn Bittenbender
2002: Joan Golden
2001: Jean Milstead
2000: Judy Wright
1999: Shirley Martin-Smith
1998: Dee Bisel
1997: Jan McNish
Wally Galluzzi Volunteer of the Year Award
Each year the Chamber recognizes one of our outstanding volunteers with the Wally Galluzzi Volunteer of the Year Award. Wally was a legendary volunteer who served the Chamber in many ways, including a term on the Board of Directors and as the first chairman of the Envoy Committee in 1982. Wally was president of Haskell Indian Junior College from 1970 to 1981 and was always the first person to volunteer when the Chamber needed assistance.
2024: Audra Fussell
2023: Tamara Cash
2022: Mike Willoughby
2021: Mandy Denton
2019: Ron Gaches
2018: Brad Finkeldei
2017: Lance Mullen
2016: Amber Nickel
2015: Bryan Culver
2014: Jean Milstead
2013: Cindy Yulich
2012: Kevin Loos
2011: Ranelle Fischer
2009: Rachel Rademacher
2008: Jana Dobbs
2007: Jandi Smith
2006: Earl Reineman
2005: Ryan Wedel
2004: Linda Trotter
2003: Bob Bowline
2002: Allison Vance Moore
2000: Rusty Thomas
1999: Debbie Liddel
1998: Shirley Martin-Smith
1997: Kurt von Achen
1996: Linda Trochtrop
1995: Jane Bateman
1994: Frank Male
1993: Chuck McPheeters
1991: Mary Lou Roberts
1990: Phil Bradley
1989: Gloria Morton
1988: Bernard Judge
1987: Al Hack
1986: John Humphrey
1985: Ron Miller
1984: Meredithe McCormick
Leadership Lawrence
Distinguished Alumni Award
Buford Watson, who served as our city manager from 1970 to 1989, was a leader who left the fingerprints of his work all over our town. In 1990, the Chamber established the Buford M. Watson, Jr. Public Service Award to recognize an individual whose work in the public sector serves as a role model for others. This award was last given out in 2014.
1991: Edwin Mumford
1992: George Williams
1993: Rex Johnson
1994: Hon. Jean Shepherd
1995: Tom Wilkerson
1996: Bob Taylor
1998: Roy Williams
1999: Emily Dahlem
2000: Rod Bremby
2001: Ted McFarlane
2002: Rehelio Samuels
2004: Sue Neustifter
2005: Jim McSwain
2006: Ray Wilbur
2007: Fred DeVictor
2008: John & Carol Nalbandian
2010: Ron Olin
2011: Sharon Spratt
2012: Mary Loveland
2013: Mike Wildgen
2014: Pam Weigand
Lawrence Kansas
The Chamber
Non-Profit Directory
The Chamber is proud of the fact that so many local non-profits engage with and invest in The Chamber. Our special pricing for our 501(c)3 members for membership and marketing oportunities allows these amazing organizations to reach the local business community, finding potential donors, board members and support.
This directory features non-profit members of The Chamber. If your business is interested in expanding your involvement with the Lawrence community, we hope you reference this list! If your organization doesn't appear on this list, we hope you consider joining The Chamber!
Animals
Lawrence Humane Society
1805 E. 19th St.
(785) 843-6835
lawrencehumane.org
The Arts
Lawrence Arts Center
940 New Hampshire St.
(785) 843-2787
lawrenceartscenter.org
Marla Quilts, Inc.
2001 Haskell Ave.
(785) 371-6682
marlaquiltsinc.com
Van Go, Inc.
715 New Jersey St.
(785) 842-3797
van-go.org
Children/Education
Ballard Center
708 Elm St.
(785) 842-0729
ballardcenter.org
Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence
2910 Haskell Ave.
(785) 841-5672
bgclk.org
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Douglas County
1009 New Hampshire St., Suite A & B
(785) 832-5172
www.dccasaks.org
Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas
2518 Ridge Court
(785) 865-0669
east.ks.childcareaware.org
Communities in Schools of Mid-America
1919 Delaware St.
(785) 865-5190
cismidamerica.org
Community Children's Center
901 Kentucky St., Ste. 202
(785) 260-8184
communitychildrenks.org
Heart of America Council, Boy Scouts
10210 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO
(816) 942-9333
hoac-bsa.org
Junior Achievement
(785)841-8245
kansasja.org
Kansas Action for Children
709 S. Kansas Ave., Ste. 200, Topeka, KS
(785) 232-0550
kac.org
Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters
2518 Ridge Court
(785) 843-7359
kansasbigs.org
Landen Lucas Foundation
4000 W. 6th St.
(503) 989-9930
landenlucasfoundation.org
Lawrence Children's Choir
(785) 331-4662
lawrewncechildrenschoir.org
Lawrence Public Library
707 Vermont St.
(785) 843-3833
lawrencepubliclibrary.org
Lawrence Schools Foundation
110 McDonald Dr.
(785) 330-1941
lawrenceschoolsfoundation.org
Peaslee Tech
2920 Haskell Ave., Ste. 100
(785) 856-1801
peasleetech.org
READ Lawrence
1900 Delaware St.
(785)424-0838
facebook.com/READLawrenceKS
The Children's Shelter
1925 Delaware St.
(785) 843-2085
theshelterinc.org
Foundations
Capitol Federal Foundation
700 Kansas Ave., Ste. 517, Topeka, KS
(785) 270-6040
capfed.com
Douglas County Community Foundation
900 Massachusetts St., Ste. 406
(785) 843-8727
dccfoundation.org
Haskell Foundation
155 Indian Ave., Box 5019
(785) 749-8425
haskellfoundation.org
Health
Alzheimer's Association - Heart of America Chapter
3846 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS
(913) 831-3888
alz.org/kansascity
Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center
200 Maine St., Ste. A
(785) 843-9192
bertnash.org
Community Blood Center of KC
4040 Main St., Kansas City, MO
(816) 968-4004
savealifenow.org
CV Key Project
cvkeyproject.org
Douglas County Visiting Nurses
200 Maine St., Ste. 150
(785) 843-3738
kansasvna.org
Heartland Community Health Center
346 Maine St., Ste. C
(785) 841-7297
heartlandhealth.org
Kansas Advocates for Better Care
536 Fireside Court, Ste. B
(785) 842-3088
kacb.org
Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ
2110 Delaware St., Ste. B
(785) 841-9900
headquarterscounselingcenter.org
Lawrence Douglas County Public Health
200 Maine St., Ste. B
(785) 843-3060
ldchealth.org
Midland Care Connection
319 Perry St.
(800) 726-7450
midlandcare.org
Trinity In-Home Care
2001 W. 25th St., Ste. Q
(785) 842-3159
tihc.org
Housing
Family Promise of Lawrence
905 Tennessee St.
(785) 856-1417
lawrencefamilypromise.org
Housing & Credit Counseling
2518 Ridge Court., Ste. 104
(785) 749-4224
hcci-ks.org
Lawrence Douglas County Housing Authority
1600 Haskell Ave.
(785) 842-8110
Lawrence Habitat for Humanity
720 Connecticut St.
(785) 832-0777
lawrencehabitat.org
Tenants to Homeowners
2518 Ridge Court, Ste. 103
(785) 842-5494
tenants-to-homeowners.org
Local Organizations
Lawrence Farmers Market
(785) 505-0117
lawrencefarmersmarket.org
Seniors
Community Village Lawrence
2001 Haskell Ave.
(785) 505-0187
communityvillagelawrence.org
Senior Resource Center of Douglas County
745 Vermont St.
(785) 842-0543
yoursrc.org
Support Services
American Red Cross
2518 Ridge Court
(785) 843-3550
redcross.org
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas
1525 W. 6th St.
(785) 856-2694
catholiccharitiesks.org
Cottonwood, Inc.
2801 W. 31st. St.
(785) 842-0550
cwood.org
Douglas County CASA
1009 New Hampshire St.,
Ste. A & B
(785) 832-5172
dccasa.org
Douglas County ECKAN Center
2518 Ridge Court, Ste. 104
(785) 841-3357
Just Food
1000 E. 11th St.
(785) 856-7030
justfoodks.org
Lawrence Community Shelter
3655 E. 25th St.
(785) 832-8864
lawrenceshelter.org
The Salvation Army
946 New Hampshire St.
(785) 843-4188
lawrence.salvationarmy.us
United Way of Douglas County
1307 Massachusetts St.
(785) 843-6626
unitedwaydgco.org
Willow Domestic Violence Center
1920 Moodie Road
(785) 331-2034
willowdvcenter.org
Visit Us
718 New Hampshire St. Lawrence, KS 66044
Contact Info
info@lawrencechamber.com
(785) 865-4411
Join the Chamber