The WLKY Spirit of Louisville Foundation will commemorate the 48th Anniversary of the WLKY Bell Awards and present the 2025 WLKY Bell Awards on Oct. 9 at the legendary Churchill Downs Millionaires Row. The Bell Awards program recognizes adults and high school youth who have demonstrated the true “Spirit of Louisville” through selfless volunteer efforts and seeks to inspire all residents to engage in community service. Each adult Bell Award recipient will receive a $500 charity grant from Presenting Sponsor Republic Bank, and the Youth Service Honor Recipients will receive a $2,000 cash scholarship award from the Brown-Forman Corporation and William W. Campbell.In addition to the 12 WLKY Bell Award honorees, the Foundation and Mayor Craig Greenberg will present the “Mayor’s Spirit of Louisville Award” to Lonnie Ali, and the Foundation and Churchill Downs will present the “John Asher Spirit Award” to Susan Sweeney Crum.WLKY BELL AWARD RECIPIENTSMaria Bell (Radcliff 40160) – Maria Bell is a driving force for change in Hardin County, KY, through her not-for-profit organization, Be the Change Food Bank. Her dedication is evident in every aspect of the work—whether restocking shelves, coordinating volunteers, answering emergency requests, or cooking in her own kitchen to ensure no one goes hungry. Originally from Greece, Maria moved to Radcliff, KY in 1997 with her husband, a proud member of the United States Air Force. Like many military families, they embraced service as a way of life, and Radcliff quickly became their home. Committed to expanding access to food, Maria has already helped build 16 Blessing Boxes—self-serve food pantries available at any hour throughout the community—with a long-term goal of building 100. Her leadership extends beyond her non-profit work as well; in 2024, Maria was elected to the Radcliff City Council.Mike Bucci (Louisville 40291) – Mike Bucci is a catalyst for inspiring others, often rallying co-workers, friends, and family to join him in amplifying the impact of his volunteer efforts. A devoted single father, he frequently serves alongside his teenage daughter, Olivia, instilling in her a shared commitment to giving back. Despite the demands of a full-time job, Mike dedicated an impressive 545 hours to 33 different organizations in 2024. He is a regular volunteer with Dare to Care, the Open Hand Kitchen, and Sandefur Dining Hall, and he shares his professional expertise by teaching financial education classes to help individuals better manage their resources. Mike also gives his time to Habitat for Humanity and New Directions, and he has been a long-time supporter of the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program, making the holidays brighter for families in need.Chris Clements (Prospect 40220) – Chris’s commitment to service is reflected in his wide-ranging involvement with organizations throughout the community, including Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Dare to Care, Blanket Louisville, Youth in Action, Radio Eye, St. Vincent de Paul, St. John Paul II Academy and Parish, Age Friendly Louisville, the Alzheimer’s Association of Kentuckiana, and Jewish Family Career Services, among others. He assists with ESL classes at Highland Community Ministries, providing tutoring and mentoring, as well as preparing individuals for citizenship exams. Twice a month, Chris volunteers with Dare to Care as a distributor, packer, stocker, or greeter, and supports his church’s pantry, Mustard Seed. As an advisor and co-organizer of Youth in Action, he helps engage young people in service projects, from organizing book drives to raising funds for YMCA summer camps. In addition, Chris and his daughter participate in an intergenerational radio show on WLLV. Harold Conrad (Louisville 40206) – For Harold Conrad, giving back is deeply personal. After receiving a life-saving liver transplant at UofL Health–Jewish Hospital, he began volunteering there in 2012 as a way to show his gratitude. What started as one afternoon a week has grown into an extraordinary commitment—today, Harold donates up to 60 hours a week of his time at both Jewish Hospital and Frazier Rehabilitation. Most often found at the information desk at Frazier Rehab, he warmly greets patients and families, provides directions, and helps them navigate appointments, procedures, and therapy sessions. For the past seven years, he has also organized a December sock challenge, posting fliers throughout the facilities to encourage staff participation. Each year, Harold and his wife personally match the donated socks, which are then delivered to the St. John Center for Homeless Men—extending his impact well beyond the hospital walls.Margaret Dickinson (Louisville 40207) – For many years, Margaret Dickinson has served as the devoted director of the food pantry at Calvary Episcopal Church. She continues to dedicate an average of 40 hours each week to the pantry—accepting and sorting donations, greeting clients, and ensuring that families have access to needed resources. When the pantry is closed, she can often be found shopping to restock the shelves. Margaret also recruits, trains, and schedules volunteers, while helping to organize special fundraisers and annual events that sustain the pantry’s mission. Prior to her work with the food pantry, Margaret’s first service with Calvary was that of organist and choir director. Her lifelong dedication to service, however, extends beyond this work; in 1964, Margaret and her husband, Melvin, founded the Louisville Bach Society, which they directed together for 47 years on a volunteer basis, bringing performances to audiences throughout the region.Doug Drake (New Albany 47150)– Doug has long been dedicated to his community, generously devoting his time and expertise to numerous non-profit organizations throughout Louisville and Southern Indiana. He is the founder of “Together for Breast Cancer Survival,” a men’s caregiver support group. Other community activities include Solihten Institute, LifeSpan Resources, FBI Louisville Citizens Academy, SOAR Ministries, Savannah Smiles, Metro United Way, and the Freedom Center Board of Directors. In addition to helping organize and execute events, Doug contributes his grant-writing expertise to support the missions of local organizations. He has also shared his guidance as a mentor with youth-focused agencies, furthering his impact on the next generation.Maureen Durbin (Smithfield 40068) – At 77 years young, Maureen Durbin is a shining example that adversity need not stand in the way of serving others. An illness in infancy left her blind in one eye, and she has faced—and overcome—multiple battles with cancer. Drawing from her own journey, Maureen regularly counsels individuals newly diagnosed with cancer, offering compassion, encouragement, and hope. Her commitment to service extends throughout the community: she volunteers with Feed Louisville, helping assemble meals and fundraiser, and frequently loads her truck with donated food, luggage, pet supplies, and more to deliver to the Arthur Street Hotel. Maureen has also contributed her time and energy to causes including the St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser, the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Cut-a-thon, and more than 25 years of dedicated service with the Humane Society of Oldham County.Aaron Garofola(Shelbyville 40065)– Aaron Garofola is the co-founder and operator, along with his wife Ashlea, of The Backward Backpack, a non-profit dedicated to providing sensory-support backpacks for children on the autism spectrum during emergency situations. Aaron leads fundraising and community outreach efforts, assembles the kits, coordinates with first responders, and often personally delivers the backpacks to ensure children receive the dignity, safety, and care they deserve in their most vulnerable moments. His commitment to service extends well beyond this work—Aaron also serves on more than 10 local boards, including the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, Veterans Rural Outreach, Cornerstone Christian Academy, Kosair for Kids, and Shelby Farms—demonstrating a deep and ongoing dedication to strengthening his community.Michael McLaughlin (Shelbyville 40065) – Mike serves as the Executive Director of Ready Fest, a one-day event that ensures every child attending school in Shelby County, KY, has the supplies needed to start the year prepared. In this role, he oversees the collection and purchasing of supplies, researches and writes grants, and forges connections with community groups to support the initiative. He works closely with school resource coordinators to make certain no student is left without the essentials. Beyond Ready Fest, Mike is deeply engaged in his community through service with Shelby County Christian Church and by leading a mentor program at East Middle and Collins High Schools. He also serves as Treasurer for Kiwanis, volunteers with Junior Achievement, and supports literacy as a Reading Buddy at Wright Elementary and Clear Creek Elementary.Carl Thomas (Louisville 40207) – Carl Thomas is a philanthropic leader whose dedication to service is reflected in his wide-ranging commitment to the community. He currently serves on nine boards of directors, including Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana, Home of the Innocents, The Filson Historical Society, Lincoln Heritage Council of Scouting USA, Jefferson County Public Education Foundation, the Louisville Ballet, Cave Hill Heritage Fund, Baptist Health Louisville Foundation Board, and Park Springs LLC. Beyond his leadership roles, Carl is equally known for rolling up his sleeves and engaging in direct service work, helping to strengthen organizations and ensure their missions remain sustainable. His passion for youth also led him to serve for eight years as a tutor in the Everyone Reads Program at Engelhard Elementary School, where he made a lasting impact on students.WLKY BELL AWARD YOUTH SERVICE HONOR RECIPIENTSLauren Hinton (Clarksville 47129)– Lauren, a senior at Our Lady of Providence High School, dedicated more than 100 hours to service this past year. She was the acting President of the Clarksville Youth Council, whose mission is to make a positive impact in the lives of youth in Clarksville, IN. Last spring, Lauren organized a drive at each local high school to raise essential items for Youth Link, a local non-profit that distributes these items to local youth in need. On Memorial Day, she represented the council at the Clarksville Veteran’s Memorial Service, reading the names of fallen local soldiers. In addition, she mentors local youth at a Providence soccer camp and volunteered at Norton Clark Hospital over the summer.Lily Sumner (West Point 40177) – At just 12 years old, Lily founded her first non-profit, Wrapped in God’s Warmth, with a mission to provide comfort to those in need during the colder months. This past January, she delivered more than 310 kits to St. Vincent de Paul’s Shelby Park Campus. Each kit, tied with a string and accompanied by a prayer card, included essentials such as blankets, socks, hand warmers, flashlights, hats, and water bottles. To make this possible, Lily partnered with several Catholic high schools and an elementary school, inspiring fellow students to join her cause. In addition, Lily serves as the National Youth, Young Adults, and Emerging Leaders Team treasurer for St. Vincent de Paul, and is the youth director for Kentucky Right to Life. A graduate of Mercy Academy, she began her studies at the University of Louisville this fall and is planning to expand her school partnerships into surrounding counties next year.MAYOR’S SPIRIT OF LOUISVILLE AWARDEELonnie Ali - Lonnie Ali is the Co-Founder, Lifetime Director, and Vice Chair of the Muhammad Ali Center, which she established in November 2005 alongside her late husband, the legendary Muhammad Ali. A driving force behind initiatives that honor her late husband’s legacy, she helped establish The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center and the Lonnie and Muhammad Ali Movement Disorder Center, advancing care and outreach for patients and caregivers. Beyond health advocacy, she created the Daughters of Greatness series spotlighting women changemakers, and launched The Ali In Me podcast with Mercury Studios on Audible. A recipient of numerous national and international awards and recognition, Mrs. Ali also partners with the Starts With Us Foundation and serves on the Operating Board of GOAT, Inc. and Muhammad Ali Enterprises, continuing to champion empowerment, compassion, and justice worldwide.JOHN ASHER SPIRIT AWARDEESusan Sweeney Crum – After more than 30 years in radio and television news, Susan retired in 2018 but remains deeply engaged in community service. She currently serves on the boards of Wednesday’s Child, Alley Cat Advocates, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Louisville Advisory Board, and COPES, an organization dedicated to substance abuse prevention. Her past service includes leadership roles with Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, Spalding University Athletics Association, Hand in Hand Ministries, and the Mattingly Center. Together with her late husband, legendary U of L basketball coach Denny Crum, she championed causes such as Friends for Michael, supporting spinal cord injury research. Today, she continues to honor their shared legacy by supporting the Denny Crum Scholarship Fund at the University of Louisville, Race Track Chaplaincy at Churchill Downs, Harbor House of Louisville, and by donating use of their Idaho mountain home to charities including Gilda’s Club, Bellarmine University Athletics, and Kosair for Kids.The 2025 WLKY Bell Awards are presented by the Republic Bank Foundation. Reservations to the dinner and awards ceremony can be made by contacting WLKY, 891-4800, or logging onto http://wlkybellawards.com/ by September 19th. A special one-hour telecast of The WLKY Bell Awards will air on WLKY Saturday, October 18th from 8:00-9:00 pm.Celebrating its 48th year, the WLKY Spirit of Louisville Foundation was formed to oversee the annual Bell Awards program. The 2025 Executive Committee of the Spirit of Louisville Foundation are Trish Osborn/Central Bank, Lori Dougherty/Louisville Furniture, Thomas Hirsch/Civic Volunteer, Jill Bell/Civic Volunteer, Vicky Weber/Civic Volunteer, and Glenn Haygood/WLKY-TV.