Springfield's Casey Tingley Honored with New Car & $10,000 for Remarkable Community Efforts 

With thousands of local votes, Dayton has picked their 2024 Jeff's Hero. The Jeff Schmitt Auto Group is proud to announce Casey Tingley as the winner of the 2024 Jeff's Heroes initiative. Casey's relentless dedication to community service and his inspiring leadership through disaster relief efforts have earned him this prestigious recognition, along with a brand-new car and $10,000 in cash. 

Casey Tingley, founder of the nonprofit Ohio Hope Builders (OHB), has dedicated his life to helping others in times of crisis. Whether rallying over 250 volunteers for tornado cleanup efforts, organizing relief drives for hurricane-stricken areas, or establishing warming shelters during harsh winters, Casey's actions exemplify compassion and selflessness. 

This year, Tingley stood out among finalists for his work through OHB, which continues to assist communities in need with disaster relief supplies, neighborhood cleanups, and efforts to restore hope. Casey's motto, "Joining hands to change lives," captures the spirit of Jeff's Heroes, and his unwavering commitment has left a lasting impact on those he has helped. 

"I am delighted that I am not tasked with picking the winner, as each and every finalist I've met this year has been incredible. It was an honor to learn each Hero's story and share them via our platform. Congratulations to Casey and to our other finalists who are truly making this world a better place!" Said Jay Schmit, President of the Jeff Schmitt Auto Group.  

As the winner of the 2024 Jeff's Heroes initiative, Tingley will receive a new car and $10,000 in cash, in addition to the $5,000 award already granted to all finalists.  

The Jeff Schmitt Auto Group's Jeff's Heroes initiative was created to recognize and celebrate individuals in the Miami Valley who go above and beyond to serve their communities. This year's finalists, including Emerge Recovery and Trade Initiative, The Mefford Family, and Jan Hillman with Breast Wishes, each received $5,000 to support their efforts. 

MEET THE RUNNERS UP

Jan Hillman

Jan is the former Chair of the Breast Wishes Foundation, a nonprofit organization that grants up to $1,500 to breast cancer patients in the Dayton area to help them during their battles. Her leadership brought hope and joy to countless individuals, as she tirelessly advocated for underserved communities and ensured that wishes were granted to those who needed them most.

Throughout her nearly 40 years in the nonprofit sector, often on a volunteer basis, Jan has served as a leader and mentor, sharing her compassion and resilience. Despite her current health challenges, she continues to inspire and uplift those around her with her unwavering commitment to others.

Emerge Recovery

Founded in 2021 by three local business owners, Chris Adams, Kip Morris, and Doug Van Dyke, Emerge is transforming lives by offering recovery services, vocational training, and a second chance at life for those battling addiction. Their innovative model addresses two critical societal issues-recovery and workforce development-by providing a safe, supportive environment for individuals to rebuild their lives, gain new skills, and become self-sufficient.

"This caring community continues to step up and prioritize the needs of those suffering from mental health issues and substance use disorders. Our team is grateful for the generous support from Jeff Schmitt Auto Group. These funds will support the transportation needs to connect our residents with support group meetings, educational opportunities, and job readiness trainings. These are critical needs for those re-emerging back into the community," said Sair Elaine Bonner, Director of Philanthropy.

The Mefford Family

The Mefford family's journey has been one of incredible resilience and unwavering hope. Their 3-year-old daughter, Blakely, was diagnosed with a rare liver cancer late last year. After months of intense chemotherapy, it became clear that Blakely needed a liver transplant. The family received the life-changing news of a matching liver over Memorial Day weekend, and the surgery was successfully completed on May 25, 2024.

Just two days after this joyous moment, tragedy struck again when the family's car was stolen from their driveway. The van, filled with essential items for hospital stays and Blakely's care, was a crucial part of their daily lives. Despite these hardships, Austin and Olivia have shown remarkable strength and kindness, continuing to support their children and each other through every challenge.