The Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award was created in 1969 to honor the late Bert Polsky, president of the former Polsky's Department Store and founding trustee of Akron Community Foundation.
Each year, the community foundation presents the Polsky Humanitarian Award to the individual or couple who best exemplifies Bert Polsky's selfless dedication to humanitarian causes in Akron. Honorees come from a variety of backgrounds, from business executives to lifelong volunteers.
David and Cheryl Venarge are the 2025 recipients of Akron Community Foundation's Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award. The Venarges are well known in Greater Akron for both their financial contributions and their hands-on volunteerism, particularly in the areas of food insecurity and issues affecting women and girls.
David and Cheryl's philanthropic leadership will be recognized at our annual award dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Akron Fairlawn. We're grateful to the many generous sponsors and contributors who make this event possible.
A committee of past Polsky Award honorees reviews nominations from the community annually using the following criteria:
Since 1969, Akron Community Foundation has recognized philanthropic leaders across all sectors of the community, from rubber industry magnate M.G. O'Neil to renowned civil rights leader Vernon L. Odom Sr. to community leader Dorothy O. Jackson. To celebrate these esteemed Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award honorees, we created a virtual presentation reflecting on the history of philanthropy in our community, told through the lives of our past recipients.