Corn Trophies & Community Spirit: Spotlight on HamCo Dems’ Volunteer Award Winners

The Hamilton County Democratic Party (HamCo Dems) hosted its first-ever B.L.U.E. Games—Building Local Unity & Endurance—on Saturday, July 26, 2025, celebrating the true backbone of our movement: our volunteers. This inaugural event wasn’t just a thank-you; it was a full-on tribute to the grit, heart, and dedication of the people powering our local Democratic efforts.

Three special awards were presented—Cream of the Crop, People’s Choice, and the Endurance Award: Volunteer of the Year—with personalized write-ups from fellow HamCo Dems highlighting just how much these volunteers have done to move our mission forward.

A huge shout-out to our Events Team and fearless Events Chair, Nocona Canady-Flatt, for dreaming up a creative, high-energy celebration (yes, complete with corn trophy awards!) and making sure every volunteer left feeling appreciated, energized, and ready for the fights ahead.

Endurance Award:

Meredith Fox

This person has impacted HamCo Dems more than most people know. Their involvement is not a new thing but is far reaching across the state. I guarantee if you haven’t interacted with them you will. They are a force in everything they do and now is where I give it away, it always needs to be clean, pretty, and done just right. That attention to detail has spearheaded HamCo dems into being one of if not the preeminent county party in the state. People from all over ask questions and seek out answers about how we communicate, our brand, and who we are. This person has worked from the beginning to build an organization that is what it is today. No candidates are elected, no volunteers needed, and no events to occur without the work the this person has tirelessly done.

HamCo Dems Vice Chair with Events Chair Nocona Canady-Flatt

They have been a city club officer, a county committee leader and let’s be realistic they also were holding down about 3 other committees at any given time, plus running socials, a business, a life and all on a volunteer basis. If you don’t know who this is by now, know her hand is in everything we do. She recently has been elected to a position with a title somewhat befitting her outstanding work with the democrats. Her and her husband can be found at basically any event and regularly on the Zoom. They have stored HamCo items in their garage, drug them to events and again I say worked tirelessly to ensure we all have a party. 

She is a Hoosier Women Forward alum, creative and small business owner, beloved daughter, sister, Yaya, a mentor, the one we seek for guidance and institutional knowledge for all things HamCo Dems, runner, reader, and fun fact a big time member of the Beyhive (that Beyoncé fan for all of those under a rock). It is my great honor and privilege to present The Inaugural Hamilton County Democratic Party Endurance - Volunteer of the Year award to none other than Meredith Fox.

People’s Choice:

Westfield — Evelyn Davis

Evelyn is such a committed volunteer. She helps in so many different capacities. She is well loved by all, and I think that’s because we all feel loved by her.

Evelyn Davis accepting award!

Evelyn is the first to step up when any marginalized group or Democratic club or candidate needs assistance. She is unwavering in her dedication to supporting people. I do not understand how she has so much energy to give, but she does. She is truly a relentless powerhouse

Evelyn is everywhere - I’ve not been successful at going to any community event where Evelyn is not already there volunteering or helping.  Evelyn is one of the helpers Mr Rogers told us to look to.

Evelyn has taken on the lead for several recent key Club Events.She also contributes towards the planning ideas for future events. You can tell her heart in it!

North HamCo — Pam Williams

Pam is everywhere. She attends regular Sheridan council meetings, is a part of the events committee, will write a blog or post on socials, load a truck, or offer a trailer. If Pam can help, she absolutely will, no questions asked. She shows up, works hard, and is always trying to help the party. Pam is also the force behind getting a North HamCo club. She has been organizing and leading that charge. There is no better North HamCo nominee.

Noblesville — Amber McKibbin

Amber came in and immediately stepped up. Night for the Blues could not have happened without her; she worked tirelessly to help pull off that event. She has stepped up in Noblesville being the co-lead for the NDC Events Committee. Whether it's providing water at a parade, decorations for an event, or brainstorming ideas, Amber is deeply involved.  We need 20 more volunteers just like her in every city club.

She is creative and hard working. She was a huge part of making A Night for Blues so successful. We are beyond lucky to have her help.

Fishers — Mulalo Rikhotso

Pillar for Fishers Dems go beyond and above.

Very Dedicated.

Leadership and  building great structure for Fishers Dems

Her laugh is contagious and she is constantly thinking how we can help in a situation. She shows up and is tireless in her work for Fishers. We are happy she calls HamCo home

Carmel — Lisa Gray

Lisa is a community volunteer that makes Carmel shine. Not only does she amplify democratic values but she puts her beliefs into action working to feed the hungry every day at the 2nd Presbyterian church’s huge garden that supplies Washington township food pantry and her advocacy for Public schools in Carmel is well known.

Cream of the Crop Awards:

Westfield:

Jamie Flemington

Jaime has stepped up in so many ways with Westfield Dems. She has spearheaded efforts to fundraise, plan events, and does all of this while serving on the WDC Executive Board. Westfield Dems is successful because of the work of people like Jaime. She has done this all while raising her daughter, working full time, and renovating her home. She is undoubtedly a standout volunteer.

Roni Cardwell

Roni has stepped up as event cochair with little to no experience participating in the club or running events. She has quickly jumped in to lead the committee and keep our events program going strong. No matter how big or little the task, Roni has volunteered as much of her time as possible with a smile on her face and a spirit of hope for our community that is infectious.

Cary Fuller

Cary’s work is usually behind the scenes, but you see so much of it. Since April she has been hard at work on our county social media pages ensuring content and working with the team to make sure HamCo’s voice is heard. In addition to this work she has worked on Josh’s campaign socials and does the socials for Westfield dems. Cary is uplifting and encouraging and a standout volunteer.

Fishers:

Isabelle Fisher

Isabelle leads the Legislative and Lobbying team in Fishers, IN. Isabelle is tireless in her abilities to collect information, communicate with her team, and execute actions quickly and consistently. On a weekly basis, she identifies two calls for democratic action (2 to-do Tuesdays), and submits these to all of us via Fisher's Democrats email. By creating weekly slides, she makes it as easy as possible for every/any person to engage more deeply within our community. She creates the resource for us to educate ourselves on political processes and personnel,  track legislation, and provides scripts for contacting local elected officials to make our voices heard. Isabelle deserves so much recognition for all the work she does on a consistent basis.

Sarah Van Bokkelen

Sarah goes above and beyond on a daily basis for our Fishers Committee. She is out there purchasing items for our booths at a variety of sites all summer, has creative ideas and is a fierce Democrat in Fishers!  We could not do this work without her by our sides!

Sarah is ALWAYS there for Fishers and HamCo! She leads the Fishers GOTV and Outreach Team and does our volunteer screening. In addition, she is leading our PC organizing and training. She almost single-handedly put together our Spark!Fishers booth. She will no doubt have a huge role in our Fishers Pride booth. She attends all of our meetings and helps prepare for and lead them. She shows up at our monthly recurring social events. She’s always available to give advice, and her advice is always invaluable and spot-on. She is always willing to help and she’s usually a step—let’s be honest—several steps—ahead of everyone else in her efforts, her ideas, and her completion of the next tasks to be done. And no, you can’t have her. She’s ours!

Shelley Fabrizio

Shelley has been fundamental in all aspects of the Fishers Committee.  She attends nearly every event, is instrumental in the planning of events, sends out nearly all communications, to the group and community at large even learning social media to do that job. Always has a smiling face and positive attitude, helps to lead meetings, honestly...what doesn't she do! 

Deetta Steinmetz

Deetta tirelessly works for the betterment of Fishers Dems. She is quick to volunteer, work with other cities, and understands that the success of one is the success of all. She is passionate about her ideas and the needs of FiDems, and she works to make those ideas a reality. Many talk, but Deetta puts in the work. She is a bundle of energy that is always ready to support a cause and help out where she can; her leadership skills are a huge reason why the FiDems are growing in such a rapid way. Deetta could be enjoying retirement, but instead finds her joy in building up democrats in Hamilton County, Fishers, and through her expansive list of volunteers. She is an asset to our county and especially to Fishers

Carmel

Elizabeth Dembinski

Elizabeth has nearly single-handedly pulled off the Diaper Drive for the whole county. Outside of that, she has been a force for Carmel, stepping up to leadership roles and being willing and ready to do anything she can to support democrats in Hamilton County. On top of this, she is a joy to work with and consistently responsive, willing to help, and kind to everyone she encounters. I cannot think of a more deserving nominee for People's Choice, Carmel.

Michelle/Shelby Dyas

Michelle is ready and willing to serve wherever needed. She has been a force in Rage Crafting and will now serve as the new co-lead of that event. She is the treasurer of Carmel Dems and serves on the HamCo CRM Committee. She is so talented and intelligent, not to mention a phenom in donating items for our recent Silent Auction, each of which contributed to bringing in so much money for HamCo. Carmel is lucky to have her, and HamCo is happy she works with them, too. 

Judy Weitzman

She worked tirelessly right up to the election, cancelling other more fun opportunities to get out the vote in Carmel - and since Harris won Carmel she was very persuasive.

Susan Ring

Devotes endless hours to recruiting and coordinating volunteers, organizes and hosts volunteer activities, coordinates precinct members, participates in Dem events. She is an amazing representative for Carmel and all of HamCo, you likely have seen her talk at each city meeting and we would be remiss not to say join in on one of her upcoming PC meetings.

Noblesville:

Kevin and Meili Wright

These two are a dynamic duo. They have jumped in with both feet, providing volunteers for Night for the Blues with appreciation gifts, volunteering in any way they can, attending events, donating their services and talents, even gifting decorations for Night for the Blues. They serve on the NDC events committee and are just forces of good in Hamilton County. We are happy they call the Noblesville City Club home.

Jen Bishop

Jen shows up and always has a smile. She has jumped headfirst into the events committee for HamCo and Noblesville. Helping with any event needed. If she can provide it, she will. She is deeply involved in Rage Crafting and serves as the new co-lead of that group. She brings her kiddo and gets him involved in the democracy action, showing everyone that politics and action in democracy are a family affair. Jen is willing and ready to do anything asked of her and will typically brighten your day doing it.

Jen always shows up with a smile on her face regardless of the circumstances. She’s not a big complainer and her work ethic is admirable. I always appreciate having her on our team!

Danielle Estridge

Danielle is a real-life superhero as a pediatric nurse, but she is a hero to HamCo, too. She came in willing and ready to volunteer, joining NDC and serving as the Co-Chair of the NDC Events Committee. She also shows up for HamCo, and you may recognize her as one of the infamous "cigarette girls" from 2025 Night for the Blues. She is so sweet and kind in everything she does and is a true asset to Noblesville and Hamilton County.

She was a huge help for A Night for the Blues. She is passionate about our cause and we are so fortunate to have her help in moving our party in the right direction.

Joy Amick

Joy is everywhere all the time. She has donated her time and services on many occasions for both Noblesville and Hamilton County. She and her bike are a staple in the Noblesville 4th of July parade. She donated items for our silent auction, works almost all the events, helped get us involved in SERVE and is always thinking about how we can be more involved and better involved. 

"Volunteers typically find that they receive something in return that is even more valuable: a feeling of satisfaction and a connection to other people. Knowing that you have worked alongside other volunteers to change a family’s life is a powerful feeling that you will want to experience again and again." – Jimmy Carter