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The Jefferson Awards for Public Service are given annually in over 90 cities in an effort to celebrate our ''unsung heroes''. Created in 1972 by Cincinnati native Senator Robert Taft, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Sam Beard, Chairman of the National Development Council, the award is presented annually to individuals who have an ongoing commitment to make a difference in their local communities.

The Jefferson Awards recognize both ordinary people who do extraordinary things and individuals whose public service has had a broad national impact. The ultimate goal of these awards is to encourage individuals to volunteer and make a difference.

2010 Jefferson Award winner, Cincinnati, Robert Edwards The Rotary Club of Cincinnati has named Robert Edwards the local winner of its 2010 Jefferson Award. Edwards is founder of the Rubber Duck Regatta, the 15-year-old major fundraiser for the Freestore Foodbank. The Regatta has raised more than $4.6 million and is the largest event of its kind. Edwards will represent Greater Cincinnati at the American Institute of Public Service national awards banquet this summer.
2010 Jefferson Award finalist, Cincinnati, Dr. William Barrett Dr. William Barrett is a finalist for the 2010 Jefferson Award. Dr. Barrett founded a mobile prostate cancer screening program, a community cancer education day, the Cincinnati Cancer Consortium, cancer and primary care physician forums, the Bearcats Against Cancer organization and the UC/Greater Cincinnati Genitourinary Conference.
2010 Jefferson Award finalist, Cincinnati, Ronald Dumas Ronald Dumas, a finalist in the 2010 Jefferson Awards, founded Reaching Out for Kids, an organization that provides character education and training through the game of golf. The program started 13 years ago in Jamaica and involves kids ages 7 to 17.
2010 Jefferson Award finalist, Cincinnati, Donna Spiegel Donna Spiegel, a finalist in the 2010 Jefferson Awards, is owner of the Snooty Fox and executive director of the Conductive Learning Center, a program serving children with cerebral palsy and spina bifida.
2010 Jefferson Award finalist, Cincinnati, Wendy Steele Wendy Steele is a finalist for the 2010 Jefferson Award. Steele was the founder of Impact 100, a women's philanthropy organization that has expanded to more than 13 communities across the U.S.
The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. US Bank Foundation