KOVAR

Grant Honoree Recipients

When KOVAR makes a grant to a charitable organization serving Virginians with Intellectual Disabilities, there is an opportunity to recognize individuals who have made substantial contributions to serve to the needs of Virginians with ID by making the grant in that individual’s honor. Since KOVAR’s founding in 1971, many such individuals have been named Honorees. Below is a partial list of those dedicated individuals:

Knights who have been honored

Darryl Adams - Council 7771 - Year 2023-24
James Adams - Council 10947 - Year 2023-24
Tony Adams - Council 7992 - Year 2018-19
Rich Aleksy - Council 5332 - Year 2023.24
Peter Andrews - Council 6828 - Year 2022-23
Rev Salvador Añonuevo - Council 13784 - Year 2022-23
Gary Antigo - Council 11262 - Year 2018-19
Gregory Bain - Council 6292 - Year 2020-21
Bob Bangel - Council 11262 - Year 2019-20
Bill Bushman - Council 12134 - Year 2017-18
Jack Cassells - Council 395
Bob Chadeayne - Council 11741 - Year 2016-17
Fr Bob Cilinzki - Council 7992 - Year 2016-17
Brian Clukey - Council 8600 - Year 2016-17
John Cochran - Council 10515 - Year 2014-15
Clint Corry - Council 395
David Crew - Council 12791 - Year 2017-18
Jack Crain - Council 12589 - Year 2017-18
Dick Crothers - Council 11984 - Council 2018-19
William Crowder - Council 8600 - Year 2021-22
John Damato - Council 9285 - Year 2016-17
Harper Donahoe - Council 11557 - Year 2016-17
VincentDonnally - Council 8240 - Year 2018-19
Jim Dotter - Council 9056 - Year 2022-23
Gerry Dwyer - Council 10015 - Year 2019-20
Patrick Eavey - Council 11042 - Year 2018-19
Vince Eikmeier - Council 395
Lothar Erbe - Council 11136 - Year 2021-22
John Escuadra - Council 367 - Year 2021-22
Don Feick - Council 562 - Year 2019-20
Terrence Fennelly - Council 11042 - Year 2018-19
Peter Frothingham - Council 13467 - Year 2023-24
John Garbak - Council 11667 - Year 2017-18
Don Gauthier - Council 6143 - Year 2016-17
PJ George - Council 395
Tom Giannasi - Council 395
Ron & Nita Grignol - Council 395
Jay Hallam - Council 11136 - Year 2023-24

Grant Honoree Recipients

Knights who have been honored (continued)

Pat Hanson - Council 6153 - Year 2022-23
Kevin Harper - Council 6828 - Year 2019-20
Phil Harvey - Council 11475 - Year 2016-17
Art Hill - Council 13467 - Year 2017-18
Barry Holland - Council 6828 - Year 2018-19
Jim Hribar - Council 14129 - Year 2023-24
Joe Hubbell - Council 14129 - Year 2023-24
Dan Hurley - Council 395 - Year 2022-23
Rick Jaminet - Council 595 - Year 2019-20
Timothy Keeney - Council - Year 2016-17
Brian Kiernan - Council 395 - Year 2021-22
Bob Klaiss - Council 6175 - Year 2017-18
Chris Klotz - Council 395 - Year 2019-20
Steve & Kathy Knapp - Council 395
Bernie Lang - Council 395
David Lewis - Council 11170 - Year 2018-19
Michael Lins - Council 3572 - Year 2017-18
Matt Lomaka - Council 14129 - Year 2022-23
Steve Lomaka - Council 14129 - Year 2020-21
Joe Lucas - Council 11262 - Year 2016-17
Bob Maher - Council 11475 - Year 2023-24
Mike Martin - Council 11172 - Year 2023-24
William McAndrew - Council 3572 - Year 2022-23
Roger McDonald - Council 395 - Year 2017-18
James McHugh - Council 8600 - Year 2021-22
Jim McCracken - Council 5998 - Year 2023-24
Corky Medaglia - Council 6143 - Year 2019-20
William Melvin - Council 3572 - Year 2023-24
Christopher Miller - Council 11136 - Year 2022-23
Lawrence Miller - Council 5998 - Year 2022-23
Tim Minnich - Council 12134 - Year 2017-18
Tim Minter - Council 595 - Year 2017-18
Chan Mohney - Council 6546 - Year 2017-18
John Morris - Council 6589 - Year 2019-20
Sam Morthland - Council 7992 - Year 2022-23
Joseph Moses - Council 562 - Year 2018-19
Tom Mowry - Council 4632 - Year 2023-24

Grant Honoree Recipients

Knights who have been honored (continued)

Mike Murphy - Council 6153 - Year 2017-18
Thomas O'Rouke - Council 3670 - Year 2022-23
Ed Polich - Council 395 - Year 2016-17
Dave Pillis - Council 10015 - Year 2022-23
Dirck Praeger - Council 12846 - Year 2005-06
Walt Purdy - Council 8600 - Year 2016-17
Eugene Rainville - Council 7566 - Year 2020-21
Stephen Raschke - Council 5480 - Year 2020-21
Earl Reid - Council 10515 - Year 2021-22
Fr Mike Renninger - Council 14129
Bryan Roberts - Council 9285 2016-17
Bill Rockwell - Council 12117 - Year 2018-19
Robert Rosbaugh - Council 14129 - Year 2016-17
Vladimir Rudenko - Council 8600 - Year 2022-23
Vince Russo - Council 395
Paul Sammartino - Council 6546 - Year 2021-22
Mark Sawyer - Council 7992 - Year 2021-22
Ronald Schafer - Council 367 - Year 2022-23
Eric Schwarz - Council 9259 - Year 2017-18
David Sharp - Council 8600 - Year 2022-23
Michael Siska - Council 10015 - Year 2016-17
Cole Slattery - Council 12526 - Year 2022-23
Bruce Slough - Council 5476 - Year 2022-23
Steve Smith - Council 5998 - Year 2016-17
Steve Smith - Council 5998 - Year 2020-21
Richard Sparks - Council 562 - Year 2019-20
Jack Spisak - Council 11136 - Year 2019-20
George Sprosty - Council 14129 - Year 2019-20
Joe Stefonowich - Council 10804 - Year 2016-17
Bruce & Kathy Stevens - Council 12117 - Year 2019-20
Jim Ulmer - Council 10246 - Year 2019-20
Mario Dalla Valle - Council 7358 - Year 2023-24
Rod Watson - Council 418 - Year 2017-18
Robert Wells - Council 7566 - Year 2019-20
Brian Wenk - Council 395
Joey Wheeler
- Year 2023-24
John White - Council 2473 - Year 2020-21
Lanny White - Council 12117 - Year 2016-17
Richard Witty - Council 5476 - Year 2017-18
Stephen Zajkowski - Council 6328 - Year 2017-18

Grant Honoree Recipients

non-Knights who have been honored

Paul Atkinson - Year 2018-19
Gregory Brezinski - Year 2020-21
Pamela Dempsey - Year 2017-18
Pete DeSmit - Year 2021-22
Angie Goodbar - Year 2022-23
Helen Green - Year 2021-22
Eiuleen Gruss
Karen Hannon - Year 2016-17
Willie Harrell - Year 2018-19
Jim Hines - Year 2023-24
John C. Hoffmeier Jr.
Lakeaba Jackmon - Year 2015-16
M. Sue Larkin - Year 2023-24
Tim Lockett - Year 2018-19
Sr Agnes Narocho - Year 2022-23
Joan Proctor - Year 2021-22
Ronnie Ratliff - Year 2022-23
Lorenz & Allyne Schoff - Year 2022-23
Rick and Jane Smith - Year 2023-24
Tilda Sorensen - Year 2015-16
Gary Tardiff - Year 2018-19
Susan Tiffin - Year 2023-24
John Upton - Year 2022-23
Ken & Sue Utterback - Year 2022-23
Ginny Videll - Year 2018-19
Robert Wade - Year 2022-23
Genevieve Weaver - Year 2023-24

Grant Honoree Recipients

Companies who have been honored

Community Foundation of Greater Richmond - Richmond - Year 2023-24
Culinary Team - Council 14129 - Richmond - Year 2020-21
Giant Foods - Cascades - Year 2017-18
Julie Clinch, Ladies of 6292 - Fairfax - Year 2021-22
K-Cettes (Ladies Auxiliary 395) - Henrico
Kroger Employees Spartan Square - Year 2018-19
Ladies of Virginia - Year 2020-21
Mount Vernon Columbus Club - Alexandria - Year 2021-22
The Mulholland Foundation - Richmond - Year 2023-24
Neall Family Charitable Foundation - Fairfax - Year 2023-24
Our Lady of Good Council Parish - Vienna - Year 2016-17
Sal's Italian Restaurant - Palmyra - Year 2016-17
St Mark Catholic Church Tithing Allocation Committee - Vienna - Year 2023-24
Stop in Food Stores - Roanoke - Year 2020-21
VA Wesleyan Employees - VA Beach - Year 2018-19

Annual Fundraising Drive Honorees


Recently the KOVAR Board of Directors decided to name an honoree for each year’s Annual Fundraising Drive. The Honorees have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to serving the needs of Virginians with Intellectual Disabilities. Below is the list of those Honorees:

2023-24 Francis J. Diamond Council #6292

2022-23 Michael Bellanca, PSD (KOVAR Executive Secretary 1971-1979)

2021-22 John Cardinal Newman Council #11323 at Virginia Tech

2020-2021 George Brent Council #5332

2019-20 St Mary of Sorrows Council #8600

2018-19 Tim Minnich

2017-18 Bernie Lange and Brian Wenk, PGK

Ray Walter Award

This special award is named in honor of former KOVAR Director Ray Walter, for his dedication and service to the needs of Virginians with Intellectual Disabilities and his particular commitment as a Member of the Board of Directors of KOVAR.  Considered to be the highest honor bestowed by the KOVAR Board, the Ray Walter Award is not given regularly, but only in recognition of exceptional service that substantially contributes to the ability of KOVAR to improve the lives of Virginians with Intellectual Disabilities.

Recipients:
Art Carroll
John Barrett, PSD
Mike Bellanca, PSD
Paul Piche, PSD
Don Murphy
George Fontaine
George Kuhlow
Jerry Stockli
Angelo Mele
Lanny White
Dennis Godfrey
Dan Hurley