Honoring Those Who Lead with Compassion

At START, we believe that compassion isn’t just a feeling — it’s a force. It shows up when someone gives their time to help a neighbor, steps forward when others step back, or quietly makes a difference that ripples through an entire community. That spirit of service is what we celebrate through our Compassion in Action Awards.

For many years, START proudly recognized individuals through our Volunteer of the Year Award — honoring those who generously gave their time, energy, and talents to support our mission. These recipients helped shape the heart of our organization, embodying the values of dignity, respect, and human connection. They were the hands behind the scenes—setting up beds for children, repairing cars for working families, and ensuring dignity in the details.

As our organization and community continue to grow, so does our vision for recognizing impact. The Compassion in Action Awards represent the evolution of that legacy — expanding to recognize those whose compassion drives lasting change. Whether through advocacy, partnership, leadership, or direct service, these honorees show us what it means to walk alongside others in need.

Each year, we highlight individuals whose actions remind us that dignity is not a luxury — it’s a right. These community champions inspire hope, model empathy, and move us all toward a more caring and connected world.

Compassion in Action Awards

START’s annual recognition celebrates individuals and groups whose service, advocacy, and compassion have created lasting impact in our community.

2024 Compassion in Action -
Cummins Community Involvement Team (CIT)

It is with great privilege and gratitude that we announce Cummins’ Community Impact Team as the 2024 Compassion in Action Award Recipient.

START is grateful for our long-term partnership with Cummins - Stoughton and their exceptional Community Impact Team (CIT). In addition to Cummins’ strong commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, they feel they have a corporate responsibility to improve the communities where it operates, as evidenced by their Every Employee Every Community (EEEC) program. This initiative, a cornerstone of Cummins’ community engagement, encourages each employee to dedicate at least four work hours to volunteer work in their communities.

In recent years, the Community Impact Team has led an annual donation drive, providing Cleaning & Laundry Kit Baskets to START households in need. Cummins generously covers the cost of all the products, while employee volunteers assemble the baskets and reusable shopping bags for distribution. Beyond these kits, Cummins further supports Stoughton Area School District residents by donating fuel cards to increase access to employment, education, and healthcare. They’ve also collected essential household items like towels and bedding to ease the burdens of poverty on our neighbors.

  • 2023 - Heather North

    it is with great privilege and gratitude that we announce Heather North as the 2023 Compassion in Action Award Recipient.

    Since moving to Stoughton in 2019, Heather North has demonstrated ongoing compassion toward her community. With a background in nonprofit fundraising, social media, and event planning, Heather created her business, Northern Compass Bouquet, with a culture of compassion and giving. She continues to be a generous supporter and a Community Ambassador of START. She has graciously donated countless items such as brand-new shoes, socks, underwear, youth coats, hats, boots, and other basic needs. Heather (and NCB customers) have organized a gathering of birthday supplies that offer families an opportunity to celebrate their kids' special day, even during times of financial hardships. She encouraged participation in START's Dignity Drives and assisted in the collection of over 200 period products.

    Thank you, Heather!

  • 2022 - Michelle Abbey

    We are honored and grateful to recognize Michelle Abey as the 2022 Community Volunteer of the Year Award recipient.

    Over the past several months, Michelle has made extraordinary contributions as a volunteer Executive Board Member. During a critical period of leadership transition, she generously offered her time, skills, and expertise—both personally and professionally—to ensure START could continue supporting our participants and the wider community.

    Michelle’s steady commitment and ability to step into any role with grace made a lasting impact on the organization’s ability to navigate change. Thanks to her passion for our mission, START remains a vital resource in Stoughton and continues to expand its outreach to those in need.

    Thank you, Michelle

  • 2021 - Jeff Zarth

    As a long time START Executive Board Member providing mentorship, advocacy and support, Jeff is also the founder of Folks Wagons Inc. Folks Wagons Inc helps those people in need within the Stoughton Area School District by reparing their used cars and if necessary providing replacement vehicles to families and individuals in need. In addition to providing these vehicles, Folks Wagons provides parts and services for these vehicles until it is no longer needed. START is a proud partner with Folks Wagons Inc. while serving as a direct referral agency.

    Thank you, Jeff!

    We were deeply saddened by Jeff Zarth’s passing in 2021; his kindness, steady presence, and unwavering compassion left a legacy that continues to inspire and uplift our community.

  • 2020 - Kent Knutson

    Kent Knutson, the Stoughton Area Resource Team (START) volunteer of the year, lent a helping hand to the community by donating and delivering beds for local adults and children in need.

    Knutson, a board member of the Stoughton Area Community Foundation for over 20 years, started volunteering with START two and a half years ago after he heard that it was in need of help with making deliveries.

    START serves individuals sleeping on air mattresses, wooden pallets, couches, or makeshift bedding like piles of pillows, blankets, and clothing. Kent Knutson helped meet this need by donating mattresses, frames, and box springs, and by delivering other bedding supplies from the community.

    His dedication to START’s mission helped provide comfort—and the dignity of a good night’s rest—to neighbors in crisis.

    Thank you, Kent!

  • 2019 - Jimmy Brooks

    START is honored to provide Jimmy Brooks, proud father of 2, husband, local elementary school teacher and owner/sole proprietor of PRIMAL Strength and Fitness with the first ever 2019 Compassion in Action Award.

    Jimmy has organized, lead and created the largest fundraising drive 2 years in a row for the Stoughton Area Resource Team, Inc. (START). While working with a team of friends and volunteers Jimmy has held the local fundraiser, Squats for Tots in order to provide START with hundreds of children’s Christmas gifts and toys for those in need. In 2018 these gifts were donated and distributed to over 98 different children in 45 different households throughout Stoughton by START.

    Thank you, Jimmy!

  • Eileen Stevens

    START is honored to recognize Eileen Stevens as our Community Volunteer of the Year award recipient. Founder, creator and organizer of SOCKtober & GLOVEmber, Eileen provided START with hundreds of warm winter supplies including but not limited to socks, gloves, hats, mittens, scarfs, coats, blankets & more. She enjoys helping others when she can and spends her time highly involved and invested in the Stoughton community.

    Thank you, Eileen!