Geraldine B. Nelson Advocacy Award

Gerry Nelson served as the Community Relations Director at the Tri-County Board for 25 years. Gerry retired in 1995 and passed away shortly after in 1996. She touched so many lives with her inspiring poetry and passionate advocacy measures for those suffering from mental illness and addiction issues.

Her strides in advocacy were locally and nationally recognized. She not only impacted our system, but the Tri-County Community as a whole.

In memory and in honor of Gerry, the Geraldine B. Nelson Advocacy Award is presented to individuals and groups who demonstrate exceptional advocacy, as Gerry had, in the realm of mental health and addiction issues.

Sharon Deschambeau, center, accepts the 2015 Geraldine B. Nelson Advocacy Award from Tri-County Board Chairman Dennis Butts (left) and Executive Director Mark McDaniel (right) during the Art of Recovery Showcase October 21 at Edison Community College in Piqua.

2015
Sharon Deschambeau

For 2015, we recognize an individual who can only be described as a mover and a shaker. She has taken the lead in bringing to the table decision-makers from across the spectrum - business leaders, community leaders, elected officials, courts, healthcare, behavioral healthcare and others – to create a coalition to address the serious challenge of opiates and specifically heroin’s effects on Greenville and Darke County. Without this strength of will, without this vision that through coordinated efforts conditions can change, we would not be where we are in addressing this very complex problem.
                                                  
It is in recognition of this achievement that the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services recognizes this year’s winner of the Geraldine B. Nelson Advocacy Award, for supportive measures on behalf of another, by promoting the recognition of consumer rights and encouraging positive change in the realm of mental health and addictions issues, presented this day, October 21, 2015, to Sharon Deschambeau.

Recipients of the Geraldine B. Nelson Advocacy Award

2000
John F. Jung

2001
Emma L. Hecht

2002
Cynthia Hill
Judy Overholser
Ohio First Lady Hope Taft

2003
Joyce Konicki

2004
Family Connection of Miami County
Dr. James Moore

2005
Thom Grim

2006
Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton
Tri-County CIT Committee

2007
Darke County Bridge Builders

2008
Jeannie Sue Deaton

2009
Douglas Metcalfe

2010
Byron Ewick

2011
Rod Austin

2012
Marianne Helmlinger
Jerry Herbe
William Zimmerman Jr.

2013
Greenville Police Department

2014
Gordon Buckner

2015
Sharon Deschambeau