The Cincinnati Open and Fifth Third are proud to recognize 11 area residents as this year’s Cincy Serves honorees, selected from over 160 nominations submitted by community members. They each receive a $5,300 donation to a charity of their choice along with a VIP experience at the 2026 Cincinnati Open.
The 2026 honorees range from a youth with a lemonade stand and a barber giving free haircuts to a water rescue earning lieutenant rank and a hospital volunteer guiding survivors of sexual assault and abuse. The honorees’ impact reaches hospitals, shelters, schools, disability programming, tax resources, women in need and much more.
Jennifer Arena
Jennifer Arena has been a cornerstone volunteer for Stepping Stones (a nonprofit serving children, teens and adults with disabilities including autism) since her son Holden enrolled in programming in 2022. As chair of Bloom, Stepping Stones’ signature annual fundraiser, she has set records for total revenue raised, and her recruitment of donors, volunteers and sponsors has helped raise close to $1 million.
William Barnhill
Following the tragic death of his son Kevin, William Barnhill built a legacy in his name to provide educational opportunities in the Greater Cincinnati community. Established in 2007, the Kevin C. Barnhill Memorial Scholarship and Community Outreach Fund has awarded 160 scholarships valued at $325,000. William also helped build the Kevin C. Barnhill Championship Baseball Field in collaboration with the Cincinnati Reds, where Kevin worked in the front office. The field services over 1,000 area youth participating in the Warren County Little League and Knothole youth programs.
Shannon Berry
Shannon Berry has served more than a decade as a hospital advocate for the Ion Center for Violence Prevention, earning recognition as the longest-serving volunteer in the organization’s history. Shannon meets survivors of sexual assault and abuse in the emergency room and guides them through medical examinations and police investigations. She also contributes to the Ion Center’s Development Committee, has worked on anti-human-trafficking legislation through End Slavery Cincinnati, and volunteers with the FBI Cincinnati Citizens Academy.
Michael Cotrell
Michael Cotrell serves as Community Impact and Development Specialist at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati where his commitment extends far beyond his professional role, reaching into customer service and relations, strategic development support and community engagement. Michael has dedicated himself to further causes including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Cincinnati Pride, PFLAG of Greater Cincinnati and the Imperial Sovereign Queen City Court of the Buckeye Empire.
Mark Haggard
Mark Haggard has been a steadfast champion for Caracole, Cincinnati’s HIV/AIDS service organization, for more than 20 years. Serving as a donor since 2004 and in multiple board leadership roles, his strategic counsel during a potential merger helped Caracole avoid significant financial risk, ultimately positioning the organization to absorb additional grants and expand its services. Beyond Caracole, Mark serves as Board President of Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and on the Board of Directors for Findlay Market.
Jeff Hightchew
Jeff Hightchew has served as a volunteer on the Boone County Water Rescue Team for more than 16 years, recently earning the rank of lieutenant. He has taken on roles including diver, boat operator, sonar lead, information technology lead and human resources. Jeff secured a donated ambulance that serves as a dive support vehicle and helped acquire the team’s advanced underwater remotely operated vehicle. As of March, Jeff had already logged more than 606 hours of service for 2026.
Vernon Jackson
Vernon Jackson is the founder and executive director of The Gifted Alliance and creator of The Gifted Event, a program offering free, sensory-friendly haircuts for children with developmental disabilities. As a licensed barber and business owner, Vernon provides the service at no cost. Since launching The Gifted Event in 2023, he has served more than 550 children in the Greater Cincinnati area. Vernon’s work extends beyond hair as he provides ongoing mentorship and emotional support to both children and their parents.
Kim Nuxhall
Kim Nuxhall, son of Cincinnati Reds pitcher Joe Nuxhall, founded the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields in 2012. He volunteers more than 40 hours a week at the $3 million recreational facility that welcomes more than 400 children and adults with disabilities to come play baseball. Beyond the field, his Joe Nuxhall Memorial Scholarship Fund will cross the $1 million milestone in scholarships awarded to Butler County high school students this year, and he is leading fundraising for The Hope Center, an indoor recreational facility for athletes with special needs.
Payton Obert
At age six, Payton Obert started a neighborhood lemonade stand to buy stuffed animals for children at the local hospital. Her act of kindness grew into Payton’s Lemonade Stand, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has raised more than $5 million in monetary and in-kind donations, supporting over 40 local organizations who distribute funds, toys, clothes, coats, food and more. Payton inspires thousands of kids and adults to host their own lemonade stands each July during Payton’s Annual Lemonade Stand, a powerful day of giving.
Herb Robinson
As the District Coordinator for AARP Tax Aide District 18, Herb Robinson manages nine sites and nearly 100 volunteers who collectively prepare thousands of free tax returns each year for seniors and low-income residents. Through his leadership in improving financial literacy, District 18 has become one of the largest and most self-sustaining districts in southwest Ohio. Herb also volunteers annually as a marshal at the Cincinnati Open and with Cross-Country for Youth.
Meggan Thompson
Meggan Thompson serves as President and CEO of Dress for Success Cincinnati, dedicated to empowering women by providing professional attire, development tools and a network of support, giving them the tools they need to achieve lifelong economic independence. Meggan also serves on the board of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, is active in the Junior League of Cincinnati and the Black Career Women Network and has mentored young women through Cincinnati Youth Collaborative’s Saturday Hoops program.