COLUMBUS — The Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF) is pleased to announce this year’s statewide honorees recognized for leadership in their communities through volunteer service.
Members of the public are invited to celebrate these honorees and others at the OSBF All Rise Annual Awards Celebration – The Art of Giving: Creating a More Just Ohio on Oct. 13 at Columbus Museum of Art. Members of the public are invited to join the celebration. For more information and to register, visit www.osbf.org/2023AllRise.
“This year’s awards celebration theme, ‘The Art of Giving: Creating a More Just Ohio,’ reflects the beauty found in the act of giving back through selfless service,” said Judge David Hejmanowski, OSBF President.
“It serves as a poignant reminder that through our collective efforts, we can work towards crafting a fairer and more equitable Ohio. We are proud to honor these exceptional honorees dedicated to bettering the world around them. Their extraordinary efforts have left a meaningful impact on the lives of so many.”
The Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and under award is presented to attorneys around 40 years of age or younger who contribute substantial time and effort in service to a local social service, or a local civic, artistic, or cultural organization.
Cindy Cunningham is an exceptional attorney, civic leader, and dedicated volunteer with strong roots in her community. She is a partner at Kidwell and Cunningham, specializing in real estate law, probate and estate planning, and small business law. Cunningham is a graduate of Kenyon College and earned her law degree from Capital University.
As a community leader, Cunningham serves on a long list of organizations including New Directions Domestic Violence Support Center, the YMCA of Mount Vernon, and the United Way of Knox County and more. In her leadership roles, she has been an instrumental fundraiser and an uplifting presence within the community.
Cunningham is also a tireless advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities. She previously served as the Program and Policy Director for the Mental Health Addiction Advocacy Coalition and currently serves as Treasurer for the Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities levy committee.
“Everyone in Knox County respects Cindy and enjoys her knowledge, passion and great sense of humor,” said Steve Oster, Superintendent of the Knox and Coshocton County Boards of Developmental Disabilities.
“She has a deep sense of commitment and supports people, organizations, and causes with her whole heart, making Knox County a better place for everyone.”
The Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF) is a 501(c)(3) grantmaking organization and the largest bar foundation in the U.S. Through our grants and programs, the OSBF works to educate the public about the rule of law and help build a better justice system. Since 1992, the Ohio State Bar Foundation has awarded over $16 million in grants statewide. The OSBF also hosts an annual statewide awards program to recognize attorneys who give back to their communities through service, as well as a Fellows program, featuring a select group of attorneys who give their time, talent, and treasure to advance the OSBF’s mission.