MOUNT VERNON — Compassionate, leadership, mentor, giving and commitment are among the words Mayor Matt Starr used to describe the 2026 Mount Vernon Volunteers of the Year.
Starr said Marcy Rinehart, Randy Cronk and Jerry Scott go above and beyond the call of duty repeatedly. They share their time, talents and resources to make a difference, choosing to volunteer.
“This is a personal decision, and this city works because our volunteers are so dedicated,” Starr said. “But no matter what brought them all to serve, one thing’s clear: Our community is better and stronger and more connected because of these three amazing individuals who care deeply about Mount Vernon and want to give back.”
Starr said the community thrives because of the passion, dedication, and quiet determination of volunteers, and this year’s volunteers are no exception.
“They don’t do it for the spotlight. They give their time and energy because they care deeply about this community,” he said.
“Taking a moment to recognize them is very important for us to do. It reflects who we are as a city, a place where we still value service, kindness, and the belief that we all have a role to play in making our world a little bit better.”
Starr said that although the impact of volunteers’ efforts might happen in small moments, together those moments create something powerful.
Jerry Scott
For nearly six decades, Scott has served Ohio law enforcement and the Knox County community with integrity, humility and the belief that pubic service continues where people are hurting or in need.
Following a distinguished career with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Scott remained active as a special deputy with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and through several statewide public safety initiatives.
In 1982, he helped establish Ohio’s poacher tip line program, becoming its first tip coordinator and later serving for more than 40 years as a permanent tip trustee.
Locally, Scott is known for his work as a law enforcement chaplain. He has responded to sudden deaths, suicides, overdoses, fatal crashes, and other tragedies, offering prayer, emotional support, and practical assistance to grieving families while also supporting the officers and first responders, carrying the weight of those difficult calls.
He has also faithfully served with the first responders bridge retreat and the local loss team.
Scott’s service extends throughout the community via The Salvation Army, Gideon’s International, Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, and many other civic and charitable efforts.
“But what distinguishes Jerry is not only the length of his service, but the way he serves with compassion, consistency, faith, and no desire for recognition,” Starr said. “But we’re turning that page today.”
Scott said it is easy to be a volunteer in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and Knox County.
“We happen to live in the greatest county in the state of Ohio, bar none,” he said. “Mary and I have just been so pleased to be here. I never expected this. Thank you.”
Randy Cronk
A former recipient of the award, Cronk has provided extraordinary leadership and hands-on service to the Kokosing Gap Trail, one of the community’s most treasured recreational resources.
His work helps ensure that residents and visitors can safely enjoy the trail for walking, running, bicycling, and experiencing the natural beauty of Knox County.
Cronk’s service covers nearly every aspect of maintaining and improving the trail. He mows, removes brush, repairs potholes, trims trees and maintains bridges and benches, among many other tasks.
He also works closely with fellow volunteers, local governments, contractors, and community partners to plan larger projects, secure financial support, prepare for resurfacing and address long-term maintenance needs.
“His leadership brings people together and turns countless individual acts of service into a coordinated effort that benefits the entire community,” Starr said.
“The excellent condition of the Kokosing Gap Trail does not happen by accident. It’s the result of dedicated volunteers, and Randy Cronk has been one of the driving forces behind that work.”
Cronk credited his fellow board members and other volunteers for their trail work, saying “It takes a village to take care of 13.5 miles of trail.”
Citing a story about a youngster who asked how much he got paid for clearing trees, Cronk said he responded, “Nothing. I get to be in the beautiful nature of this world of Knox County. That’s payment. I get to work with friends, fellow volunteers who are close to me now. I get to run power tools.”
“That kind of sums it up,” he said Friday night. “It’s part of making Knox County a really wonderful place to live.”
Marcy Rinehart
Rinehart has been the station manager and program director at 90.9 FM WNZR, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, since 1996.
A native of Shelby County, Rinehart has consistently been involved in supporting many community organizations.
Perhaps best known for serving on the board of Food for the Hungry of Knox County, where she’s co-hosted the annual live broadcast since 1995, Rinehart serves on the Entertainment Committee for Experience Mount Vernon, has coordinated the dog parade at First Friday for many years and recently finished a three-year term on the United Way Board of Directors.
Her past board and volunteer advisory work spans many other organizations, and she has received numerous awards for her efforts.
“Marcy served as a valuable staff mentor to students in the program, giving much of her personal time to get to know the students and share insights and life lessons,” Starr said.
“She consistently sets an important tone within WNZR.”
Rinehart said celebrating 30 years at WNZR is an honor.
“One of the things that we teach from Day One is that if we want to be effective in our ministry and in our teaching and giving our students the pathway for the future, we need to be involved in the community,” she said.
“So if it is happening, we want to be there and we want to be telling you about it, because this is the greatest place to live and to serve.”
She encouraged the community to reach out and get involved, whether it is once a month or routine meetings.
“Once you get involved, you are going to make lifelong lasting friendships, and it is going to do so much more for you than you can ever imagine,” she said.
(Below are Cheryl Splain’s photos.)
