The 2017 Humanitarian Award will be shared by Dr. David and Linda Brown for their work with The Gathering Tree and for developing the Eden Village housing concept.
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks made the announcement Wednesday.
Located in downtown Springfield, The Gathering Tree is a drop-in center that five days each week offers snacks, restroom facilities, access to computers and the internet and faith-based fellowship among clients and volunteers.
Last year, the Browns developed the nonprofit Eden Village. The tiny home concept creates permanent housing for homeless residents and offers services such as mental health, social workers, meeting space, laundry, and a library. The first tiny home was delivered in the spring, with the goal of installing 30 homes on the site in north Springfield.
The Humanitarian Award was founded in 1990 by Springfield donor Jewell Thompson Schweitzer. The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce organizes a committee to review nominations and select the annual recipient.
The Browns will be honored at a luncheon at noon, Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Doubletree Hotel in Springfield. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased online at cfozarks.org/humanitarian.
A $5,000 cash award is given each year to the winner, who has traditionally donated it to one or more charities of their choice.
Follow Scott Harvey on Twitter: @scottksmu
