More than 250 community members gathered in early May at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center for Lincoln Community Foundation’s annual donor recognition event. The program featured two awards that celebrate extraordinary displays of generosity and leadership.
The Harbor of Dreams Foundation was honored with the Charity Award and the JoAnn Martin Civic Leadership Award recognized the leadership and community service of Ava Thomas.
The Charity Award was established by the Foundation to provide the community with an opportunity to recognize transformational acts of generosity. The quiet and steady philanthropy from the Harbor of Dreams Foundation has provided foundational support for early childhood, affordable housing, the arts and much more. Harbor of Dreams was established in 2016 by Mike and Karen Hays and their daughter, Ashley Rinaker.
“We first connected with the Hays family and Harbor of Dreams over our shared commitment and passion for ensuring that every child has access to quality care their family can afford,” shared Foundation President, Tracy Edgerton. “We are so grateful for the safe harbors their generosity has created in our community.”
The JoAnn Martin Civic Leadership Award recognizes a strong commitment to the community. The award was established and first presented to JoAnn Martin shortly before her passing in the fall of 2021 by a group of community leaders including individuals from Ameritas and NRC, who also created an endowment at the Foundation to sustain JoAnn’s legacy.
Ava Thomas is the President of the Lincoln Journal Star and Senior Regional VP of Sales, Midwest for Lee Enterprises. She established the Inspire – Celebrating Women Leadership Awards in 2015 to shine a spotlight on the incredible contributions of women in our community. Ava is a founding member of 100s of Women Who Care and has served in a leadership capacity for many nonprofit and civic organizations.
“I am humbled to receive an award that bears the name of JoAnn Martin, whose legacy continues to uplift women in business and community leadership through the JoAnn Martin Leadership Legacy Fund,” said Ava Thomas. “I want to sincerely thank the Lincoln Community Foundation and the selection committee for this honor.”
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have people who invested in me — who gave, guided and believed in me,” she continued. “From mentors in our community to my extraordinary friends and family, I am beyond grateful. It’s why giving back matters so deeply to me. It’s not about recognition; it’s about honoring those who paved the way and paying it forward for others.”
