The University of Illinois Springfield, Junior League of Springfield and the United Way of Central Illinois honored more than 40 Sangamon County volunteers, businesses and organizations during the 17th annual Good as Gold Ceremony on April 21, 2025, in the UIS Student Union.
The Good as Gold Ceremony was started in 2008 to honor people, businesses and organizations who freely give their time and talents to make Sangamon County a better place to live.
Distinguished Volunteer Award
Kathy Smith received the 2025 Distinguished Volunteer Award. Smith, the founder and director of PBJ Springfield, leads a ministry that provides 2,000 to 2,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to people experiencing homelessness and others in need, inspiring more than 23 community organizations to participate. She also founded Off the Streets, which helps clients transition from homelessness to housing by arranging for essential donations.
Additionally, Smith volunteers at the Washington Street Mission, where she has helped secure about $20,000 in donations and collect supplies for those in need. Her commitment has created a multigenerational volunteer movement in central Illinois, embodying her belief that “we are blessed to be a blessing.”
Finalists for the 2025 Distinguished Volunteer Award included Maria del Pilar Mayorga Cardenas, Mary Louise Nachtwey, Merle Shiffman and Gary Weedman.
Star Student Award
UIS student Galia Cossyleon received the Star Student Award. Cossyleon volunteers biweekly with the Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network (SIAN), focusing on providing free, nutritious food to community members. She is also involved in SIAN’s educational initiatives, including workshops and events centered on social justice.
Her recent work includes contributing to an antiracism workshop focused on xenophobia and anti-Blackness, and supporting the Resilient Community Conversations event, which brings together diverse voices to address community challenges. Her involvement reflects a strong commitment to immigrant rights and building a more inclusive community.
UIS student Gracie Orme was also nominated for the award.
Star Staff Award
Claire Gordon, a communication instructor at UIS, received the Star Staff Award. She was nominated by the Springfield Choral Society, where she has served on the board since August 2023 and currently chairs the Community Engagement Committee.
Gordon has also served as production coordinator for events at the Hoogland Center for the Arts and co-chaired the “A Night on Broadway” gala for several years. Since 2020, she has led cardiac rehab support groups through the Ornish Lifestyle Medicine Program. In 2025, she joined “Sing from the Heart,” a program that helps individuals with Alzheimer’s express themselves through singing, supported by caregivers and Springfield Choral Society members.
Jennifer Martin, associate professor in the UIS School of Education, was also nominated for the award.
Youth Service Award
Alexander Haworth received the Youth Service Award. Haworth, a ninth-grade student at Lanphier High School, was nominated by Compass for Kids. He has been involved with Compass since 2019, starting with Club Compass and most recently participating in the 2023–24 Youth Leadership Development Program.
Haworth volunteers at the same Club Compass site he once attended, assisting younger students with homework and activities. As the youngest volunteer, he consistently demonstrates dedication and leadership. He also volunteers through the VolunTEEN program at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Cadence Crolly was also nominated for the award.
Heart of Gold Community Awards
Twenty-four volunteers or organizations received the Heart of Gold Award. Honorees included: Chris Ahr, Anne Armitage, Sandy Begue, Amber Boone, Patricia Carley, Kimberly Cochran, Sandie Cornett, Jim Endris, Jo Ann Hamende, Leah Hardy, Mike Horstman, Robert John Kane, Susie Krohe-Slaughter, Andy Lee, Dick Livingston, Ed McDowall, Deborah Raupp, Roger Schlichting, Frank Sugent, Mary Lou Spengel, Andrew Weitzel, Bonnie Williams, Chris Zaccari and the Indian Student Organization.
Organization of the Year Award
Compass for Kids received the 2025 Organization of the Year Award. The nonprofit provides free programming to support eligible District 186 students, empowering low-income children and their families with academic and social-emotional support.
Students served by Compass face a variety of challenges, including homelessness, food insecurity, foster care, neglect, parental incarceration or academic struggles. The organization’s core programs — Club Compass, Camp Compass and the Youth Leadership Development Program — are supported by dedicated volunteers and community partners.
Other nominees included the American Business Club of Springfield, Central Illinois Customer Service Association (CILCSA), Fifth Street Renaissance/SARA Center and Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach.
Business Honor Roll
Eight Sangamon County businesses were named to the Business Honor Roll, which recognizes companies that prioritize community service. Awards were presented in two categories: businesses with 1–10 employees and those with more than 150 employees. One business in each category received the Golden Distinction.
Businesses with 1–10 employees included AlignLife Chiropractic, Formea Insurance Group Inc., Interurban Merchant and The Wakery. Bloom Hospitality & Catering received the Golden Distinction. The business provides free coffee at nonprofit and community events, including the Illinois Local Conference and Awards, and has donated meals to Compass for Kids’ after-school program and the Illinois Army National Guard.
Concordia Village received the Golden Distinction among businesses with more than 150 employees. The company donates to the United Way, the Alzheimer’s Association and Springfield Supportive Living during the holidays. It also supports Concordia Lutheran Grade School with school supplies and scholarships, donates books to the local library, sends supplies to troops and recycles eyeglasses through the Lions Club.
Other businesses honored included Bank of Springfield and KEB.