{"id":123465,"date":"2025-10-10T16:55:29","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T20:55:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=123465"},"modified":"2025-10-11T05:55:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T09:55:15","slug":"nominations-now-accepted-for-the-2025-linda-jerry-vandeveer-impact-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2025\/10\/10\/nominations-now-accepted-for-the-2025-linda-jerry-vandeveer-impact-award\/","title":{"rendered":"Nominations now accepted for the 2025 Linda & Jerry Vandeveer Impact Award"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Allen County Board of Commissioners announced this week that nominations for the Linda & Jerry Vandeveer Impact Award are now being accepted.<\/p>\n

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News release from the Allen County Board of Commissioners:<\/p>\n

Nominations Now Accepted for the 2025 Linda & Jerry Vandeveer Impact Award<\/strong><\/p>\n

Allen County, Indiana (October 10, 2025) \u2013 The Allen County Board of Commissioners announced this week that nominations for the Linda & Jerry Vandeveer Impact Award are now being accepted. In its ninth year, the Impact Award honors an individual, or individuals, who reside in Allen County and have lived a life of service to our community outside of their regular profession in the example and tradition set by Linda and Jerry Vandeveer.<\/p>\n

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Jerry and Linda Vandeveer. Photo provided by the Allen County Board of Commissioners.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Vandeveers are probably best known for their work in creating and maintaining the Allen County Law Enforcement\/Firefighters Memorial on North Wells Street; however, they have also been tireless advocates for police and firefighters as well as catalysts for positive change in the Baker-Fairfield neighborhood and beyond. Jerry became a champion of the importance of getting a colonoscopy after his wife\u2019s death in 2016.<\/p>\n

Linda Vandeveer passed after losing a valiant battle against Stage 4 colon cancer. Jerry Vandeveer died in February 2024. Though they are gone, the influence and impact of the Vandeveers lives on and will be recognized annually through this award.<\/p>\n

Nominations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2025. After which time, a nominating committee will review the submissions and select the recipient(s). That person or persons will receive the award during a press conference in November. The award is an individualized plaque as well as a listing on a perpetual plaque that remains in the Commissioners\u2019 office.<\/p>\n

Copies of the nomination form can be found on the Allen County Vandeveer Impact Award webpage and in the Board of Commissioners office on the 4th floor of Citizens Square.<\/p>\n

Nominees are evaluated on the following four criteria:<\/p>\n