Alice Johnson –

Alice is the kind of person every community quietly depends on. She doesn’t volunteer for recognition, she volunteers because she genuinely sees needs and moves toward them. Time after time, she is the first to step up, the first to organize help, and the first to follow through—cheerfully, thoroughly, and without needing to be asked twice.

Alice is a dedicated volunteer with the Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, and she regularly supports the Uplift Center by furnishing meals, food items, and other essential supplies. Her generosity isn’t occasional—it’s consistent. When there is a gap, Alice finds a way to fill it.

One example that speaks volumes happened right before Christmas. A man with five children arrived at the Uplift Center with little to nothing. Alice immediately reached out to friends and contacts and organized Christmas gifts for all five children, making sure every child had something to open on Christmas morning. She didn’t just feel bad about the situation—she did something about it.

Alice also looks for creative ways to serve people who are struggling. She reuses plastic bags and turns them into sleeping mats for the homeless. It’s a simple act, but it takes time, patience, and a heart that is always thinking, “What can I do with what I have?”

Her generosity extends into community fundraising and events as well. Alice has helped with the Bake Sale and has supported community traditions like the annual Offenburg Barbecue. When she took over the Cookin’ Clergy contest, she didn’t just keep it going—she revitalized it. She revamped the event by adding a People’s Choice Award and even had a large thermometer created so the audience could see in real time how much money was being raised. That kind of improvement takes effort, vision, and commitment—and it helped increase engagement and support for the cause.

Alice also serves through civic beautification and hands-on community work. As a member of the Nancy Weber Garden Club, she helps keep Bicentennial Park weeded, assists with planting the downtown hanging baskets, and contributes to projects that make the community more welcoming for everyone.

Beyond all the specific things she does, what truly sets Alice apart is her character. When there’s a need—whether it’s raising money, collecting food, providing clothing, or organizing help for a family—Alice is often the one spearheading the effort. She brings people together, gets things done, and does it with kindness and humility. Alice truly lives out a spirit of generosity, and our community is better because of her.

Brooke Maynard –

I am proud to nominate my daughter, Brooke, for her outstanding success and creativity in bringing meaningful fundraisers to our community. From the moment Four Towns Brewing Company opened its doors, Brooke made it clear that the brewery would be more than a place to share a pint, it would be a place for generosity, connection, and local action. She is not just about beer; she is about community.   Within a few weeks of opening, Brooke began reaching out to local celebrities to raise funds for local schools and the conclusion was reached that the fundraiser would to support backpack programs, ensuring students had what they needed before and after school. Brooke knew about the backpack program first hand as she used to place bags of food in kids’ backpacks when she worked in the classroom. She reached out, listened, and turned ideas into events that raised both funds and awareness. One of her earliest and most popular ideas was a “local celebrity bartender contest night,” inviting influencers from around town to step behind the bar and rally their networks to support area schools. It was fun, it was collaborative, and it made a large difference.

Brooke also looked beyond the local schools. She contacted her friend who is affiliated with the the local college and asked how Four Towns could help. That outreach led to a creative and spirited Men’s vs. Women’s Basketball Coaches Bartending Competition, drawing students, alumni, and families together for a great cause. The event was one for the books (pun intended) and bragging rights between the coaches and teams   Health causes are close to Brooke’s heart, as she is a heart survivor, and she has made them part of the brewery’s DNA. Together with her husband, Corey she launched “Love at First Pint,” an annual fundraiser with proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association.

Each October, Four Towns goes pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, hosting events that honor survivors, support patients, and raise funds for research and care. Beyond these annual efforts, Brooke has organized numerous benefits for community members facing cancer or unexpected financial hardship stepping in where help is needed most to help pay medical bills.

What sets Brooke apart is she brings together: schools, colleges, coaches, local personalities, families, and small businesses, and creates experiences that are joyful, inclusive, and effective. She has the ability to match community. Her events don’t just raise money; they build pride, strengthen relationships, and remind us that we are at our best when we look out for one another.  For her creativity, her relentless commitment to service, and her unwavering belief that a neighborhood gathering place can transform lives, I wholeheartedly nominate Brooke. Four Towns Brewing Company may be a bar, but under her leadership, it is so much more. It’s not about beer. It’s about community, and Brooke lives that truth every day.

Kurt Bauche –

Kurt Bauche is one of those rare people who shows up for his community in every way that matters—through giving, serving, and using his talents to help others. His generosity isn’t a one-time donation or a once-a-year volunteer shift. It’s a pattern. If there’s a cause that helps people, chances are Kurt is already involved.

Kurt is known throughout our community as someone who gladly supports local organizations, fundraisers, and events. He is always willing to sponsor “anything and everything,” not because he wants recognition, but because he believes in strengthening our community and helping people who are hurting. His generosity includes financial support, but what makes Kurt stand out is that he gives far more than money—he gives his time, his energy, and his skills.

Kurt is an amazing cook, and he consistently donates his time to prepare meals for others. He has cooked for local organizations such as The Living Well Project, which works to provide clean water by digging wells for communities in Africa. Kurt has also served in moments of real crisis. When a tornado struck South Iron, Kurt didn’t wait to be asked—he went to help, cooking for residents and making sure as many people as possible had hot food and fresh water. That kind of response speaks to who he is: someone who sees a need and steps in immediately.

His generosity continues week after week in quiet, meaningful ways. Kurt volunteers to cook for Mum’s Café, located inside a local church in Farmington, where meals are provided to anyone who needs one. That steady commitment to feeding people—no questions asked—shows Kurt’s heart for serving others with dignity and compassion.

Kurt also uses his musical talent to serve. Kurt and his band play at local churches and funerals simply out of kindness, offering comfort and support to families and congregations during meaningful and difficult times.

Beyond that, Kurt stays deeply involved across the community. He volunteers at our local community college, is proudly involved in the county Rotary Club, donates food and cooks for local Elks Lodge fundraisers, and always helps with the Help the Hungry Bake Sale. He regularly enters teams in local tournaments that raise money for good causes, supporting community efforts not only as a donor but as an active participant.

The best way to describe Kurt is simple: when there is an event for a cause, Kurt will be there—serving with his whole heart. He is dependable, humble, and consistently generous. Our community is stronger because of people like Kurt Bauche, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the Spirit of Generosity Award.