Warren County's Bonnie Collins to Be Honored as a 2026 Heroes of Character

MASON, OH  - Mason's Bonnie Collins is one of the sixteen adults and seven students from the Tri-State area to be honored at the 2026 Heroes of Character “Together We Thrive” Celebration. The event, hosted by the Character Council of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana, will happen April 16, 2026 at the Delta Marriott in Sharonville, Ohio. 

Collins started The Live Like Maya Foundation in memory of her daughter Maya Grace Collins. The foundation's mission is  ... " be committed to funding pediatric cancer research, providing financial assistance to families of children battling cancer, and continuing Maya's legacy of fostering kindness and goodwill within the community." To date, the Live Like Maya Foundation has raised over $1 million since it's inception in 2019 to support pediatric cancer families, life-saving pediatric cancer research and goodwill within the community. To learn more about the foundation and Maya's story visit livelikemaya.org. 

Bonnie Collins holding a photo of her daughter Maya, who on October 3, 2017 gained her angel wings.

Along with Collins, the other 2026 Adult Heroes of Character Honorees include Lacey Ashton, Piqua OH; Mindee Callahan, Hamilton OH; Rhonda Deatherage, Cincinnati OH; Jack & Robbie Everage, Versailles IN; Gene Ferrara, Cincinnati OH; Ryan Goode, Lawrenceburg IN; Kaitlin Harrell, Meagan Hughes & Jenna Sawyers, Butlerville IN; Shelly Hauer, West Chester OH; Cindy Knox, Highland Heights KY; David Ladner, Aurora IN; Kelly Lockwood, Hamilton OH; Jennifer Campbell Loftus, Harrison OH; Michael Pearl, Lincoln Heights OH and Jessica Poe, Erlanger KY.

2026 Adult Hero Finalists are Brian Chitwood, West Union OH; Bill Crabtree, Otway OH; Warren Edmondson, Tipp City OH; Danielle Froslear, Middletown OH; Ashton Hahn, Newport KY; McKenzie Haught, Piqua OH; Beth Jackson, Cleves OH; Keren Sathish Kumar, Hamilton OH; and Carrie Preston, Hamilton OH.

2026 Student Heroes of Character include Jenna Brennan, Cleves OH; Brody Byerly, Hyde Park OH; Ally Byers, Beavercreek OH; Gabriel Eichhold, Hamilton OH; Konrad Gibson, Hamilton OH; Jordan Jacobson, West Chester OH and Katie Owens, Hamilton OH.

2026 Student Hero Finalists are Kalvin Brown, Hamilton OH; Aiden Kirkpatrick; Troy OH and Damen Weathington, Cincinnati OH.  

Don Larrick, North Bend OH; will be presented with the prestigious “Pillar of Character” award for his achievements and lifetime of service to the community.

These heroes and finalists, nominated by their peers, exemplify the highest standards of character in their respective communities. The Celebration will be held from 6-8:30pm and will include a reception, dinner, program, and silent auction.

Tyler Bradshaw, Voice of the Hamilton Joes Baseball Club, will deliver the keynote address. The event is the Character Council’s major fundraiser for the year. For more information please visit: www.charactercincinnati.org or email smitchell@charactercincinnati.org

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