Award recipient and honorees will be recognized at the Foundation’s Annual Dinner on October 29
BARBERTON, Ohio – Barberton Community Foundation has named Donna Alherimi the recipient of its 2026 Individual Game Changer Award in recognition of her decades of service to young people and her lasting impact on the Barberton community.
The Game Changer Award recognizes individuals whose leadership, service, and influence have strengthened Barberton and created meaningful, lasting impact. After reviewing nominations and supporting materials submitted by community members, the Foundation’s Community Engagement Committee selected three finalists and named Alherimi the 2026 award recipient.
“Donna’s impact can be seen in generations of young people who have benefited from her encouragement, guidance, and belief in their potential,” said Josh Gordon, executive director of Barberton Community Foundation. “Her commitment extends far beyond any single classroom or Girl Scout troop. She has helped young people build the skills, confidence, and sense of responsibility they need to become leaders in their own lives and communities.”
Alherimi has supported generations of Barberton young people through more than 30 years as an educator and her 22-year commitment to Girl Scouting. She currently leads three Barberton troops, serves as Barberton Service Unit Director, and trains and mentors adult volunteers.
Her nominators also highlighted her role in helping more than a dozen Girl Scouts complete Bronze and Silver Award projects as well as the highest and most prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award. Through her leadership, Alherimi has also helped strengthen the local scouting program for future generations of girls and volunteers.
Through education and meaningful experiences outside the school day, Alherimi helps girls develop confidence, leadership, financial literacy, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. These lessons prepare young people to succeed in school, pursue future education and career opportunities, and become engaged members of their community.
As the 2026 Individual Game Changer Award recipient, Alherimi will be featured in a video celebrating her impact and will receive a custom Don Drumm plate during Barberton Community Foundation’s Annual Dinner.
The Foundation will also recognize Jeremy Clemetson and Brandon Cramer as 2026 Individual Game Changer Honorees. This year, the awards program has expanded to recognize additional finalists whose leadership, service, and contributions also deserve to be celebrated and shared with the community.
Clemetson uses entrepreneurship to create opportunities and support others in Barberton. His nominators highlighted his investment in a long-vacant downtown storefront, the employment opportunities he provides to young residents, his support of local schools and businesses, and his willingness to give students with special needs hands-on exposure to working in a restaurant.
By bringing new activity to a vacant commercial space and giving young people early workplace experience, Clemetson is contributing to both downtown Barberton and the development of its future workforce.
Cramer has volunteered with Barberton youth wrestling for 22 years, helping sustain a program that serves more than 100 young athletes each year. His nomination highlighted his role in establishing Barberton’s first middle school girls’ wrestling team, which grew to 15 athletes in its inaugural year, with 10 continuing into the high school program.
Over more than two decades, Cramer has coached and mentored hundreds of young wrestlers. His work gives young people a meaningful place to belong outside the school day while helping them build confidence, discipline, teamwork, and leadership.
Alherimi, Clemetson, and Cramer will be featured on the Foundation’s website and social media, included in event communications and the 2026 Annual Report, welcomed as honored guests at the Annual Dinner, and recognized during the event. Honorees may also be nominated for the Game Changer Award again in future years.
Barberton Community Foundation received 20 nominations across the Game Changer and Blooming Impact awards this year. Award recipients and honorees in the Business or Organization Game Changer and Blooming Impact categories will be announced separately.
The Foundation’s Annual Dinner will take place Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the John S. Knight Center in Akron, beginning at 6 p.m. Ticket information will be announced soon.
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About Barberton Community Foundation
Established in 1996, Barberton Community Foundation has awarded over 8,500 grants and scholarships totaling more than $109 million since its inception. The Foundation strives to improve, now and forever, the quality of life for Barberton residents by providing leadership on vital issues, fostering collaboration and creating a legacy of giving to do good. The Foundation strengthens the community for current and future generations by proactively directing its grant dollars to the community’s greatest needs. To read more about Barberton Community Foundation, visit www.barbertoncf.org or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/barbertoncommunityfoundation.
