The Polsky Humanitarian Award was established in 1969 to honor the late Bert A. Polsky, president of the former Polsky Department stores. Mr. Polsky also was a founding trustee of Akron Community Foundation and a civic leader.

Each year, the foundation presents the Polsky Award to the individual or couple who best exemplifies Bert Polsky’s selfless dedication to humanitarian causes in Akron.

The following individuals are Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award recipients:

1969 - Sherman O. and Mary Schumacher
1970 - Grace O'Neil
1971 - W.B. “Bish” McIntosh
1972 - Belle K. Miller
1973 - Joseph Thomas
1974 - John D. Morley, M.D., M.P.H
1975 - John S. Knight
1976 - Ben Maidenburg
1976 - Edwin J. Thomas
1977 - D. Bruce Mansfield
1978 - Lisle M. Buckingham
1979 - M.G. O’Neil
1980 - John L. Feudner, Jr.
1981 - Frank W. Steere, Jr.
1982 - Vernon L. Odom, Sr.
1983 - William C. Zekan
1984 - Leo E. Dugan
1985 - Charles J. Pilliod
1986 - William G. Hulbert
1987 - Fred and Francia Albrecht
1988 - Dr. Clinton D. Barrett
1990 - C. Colmery Gibson
1991 - Robert E. Mercer
1992 - Karl S. Hay
1993 - The Hon. William P. Kannel
1993 - William S. Parry (posthumous)
1994 - Bruce F. Rothmann, M.D
1995 - John D. Ong
1996 - Howard L. Flood
1997 - Dr. Norman P. Auburn
1998 - Dorothy O. Jackson
1999 - John F. Seiberling
2000 - Ann Amer Brennan
2001 - Clifford and Judith Isroff
2002 - Roger T. Read
2003 - Charles E. Booth
2004 - Justin T. Rogers
2005 - Betty Dalton
2006 - Dr. Ronald J. Fowler
2007 - Philip H. Maynard