Madison Volunteers Honored for Community Impact

Annual awards ceremony celebrates those who make Madison a better place to live

Apr. 1, 2026 at 4:05pm

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The Madison Visionary Awards ceremony on March 25 recognized outstanding volunteers in the community, including the Community Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, Philanthropic Businessperson of the Year, and Madison Visionary of the Year. The event also introduced a new award, the Mayor's Community Champion, which was presented to a local pastor for his leadership during a recent water crisis.

Why it matters

Volunteerism is a key part of what makes Madison a thriving community. The annual Madison Visionary Awards shine a light on the individuals and organizations that go above and beyond to improve the city through their selfless service and philanthropic efforts.

The details

During the awards luncheon, Crystal McBrayer was named Community Volunteer of the Year for her work with the Madison Street Festival, local schools, and various community organizations. The Philanthropic Businessperson of the Year award went to Scott and Amy Edwards of Summit7 for their generous financial contributions and employee volunteer initiatives. Joshua Macri was recognized as Youth Volunteer of the Year for his extensive volunteer work with animal shelters, search and rescue teams, and other local nonprofits. The prestigious Madison Visionary of the Year Award was presented to former Mayor Paul Finley, who oversaw significant infrastructure and quality-of-life improvements during his three terms in office.

  • The Madison Visionary Awards ceremony took place on March 25, 2026.
  • Paul Finley served as Mayor of Madison from 2008 to 2020.

The players

Crystal McBrayer

President of the Madison Street Festival and active volunteer in Madison City Schools and various community organizations.

Scott and Amy Edwards

Owners of Summit7 and philanthropic leaders in the Madison community, supporting numerous local initiatives and causes.

Joshua Macri

A youth volunteer who has dedicated over 400 hours to organizations like the Humane Society, search and rescue teams, and local nonprofits.

Paul Finley

Former three-term Mayor of Madison who oversaw significant infrastructure and quality-of-life improvements in the city.

Rev. Spencer Beach

Pastor of Building Church who played a key role in coordinating relief efforts during the Sutton Water Crisis in Madison.

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What they’re saying

“Serving in this role has brought great joy and a strong sense of responsibility to preserve and grow this legacy so future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit from it.”

— Crystal McBrayer, Community Volunteer of the Year

“Madison is a small community, with limited corporate taxes and sponsors, which makes it important for individuals to support margin of excellence projects to ensure we remain a choice community servicing citizens.”

— Amy Edwards, Philanthropic Businessperson of the Year

“I learned that each experience offers the opportunity to meet new people who often have amazing insight to our community.”

— Joshua Macri, Youth Volunteer of the Year

“He stepped forward, mobilized support and helped organize relief efforts for families facing sudden and difficult circumstances.”

— Mayor Ranae Bartlett

“(The response) was a powerful reminder that, in Madison, we don't face challenges alone. We show up for one another. This is what makes Madison special, the people who lead with heart, who take action and who remind us that, when we come together, there is no challenge we cannot meet.”

— Mayor Ranae Bartlett

What’s next

The City of Madison and local organizations will continue to work together to support and recognize the volunteers who make the community a better place.

The takeaway

The Madison Visionary Awards highlight the power of volunteerism and community engagement in shaping the future of the city. By honoring those who go above and beyond, Madison is fostering a culture of service and civic pride that will benefit residents for generations to come.