{"id":18730,"date":"2026-03-05T14:01:57","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T14:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=18730"},"modified":"2026-03-05T14:01:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T14:01:57","slug":"elgin-rogers-hosts-the-difference-makers-recognition-gala","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/05\/elgin-rogers-hosts-the-difference-makers-recognition-gala\/","title":{"rendered":"Elgin Rogers Hosts the Difference Makers Recognition Gala"},"content":{"rendered":"
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State Rep. Elgin Rogers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Truth Staff<\/em><\/p>\n

Difference makers are people who quietly hold the house together and that is the reason State Representative Elgin Rogers feels that it is imperative to recognize those who are the glue to a healthy community. And he did just that on Sunday February 15 at 2340 Holland Sylvania Road.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn difficult times, we tend to bury good stories,\u201d said Rogers. I wanted to dig them back up.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s theme for the Difference Makers\u2019 recognition was Unity in Our Community<\/p>\n

During the celebration, Rep. Rogers recognized local Difference Makers<\/strong>\u2014individuals and organizations whose everyday actions positively impact the community. Individuals who came from every corner of the community \u2013 education, healthcare, nonprofits, government, entrepreneurship, faith and service. Some are business owners, some are educators, some are volunteers, some are mentors.<\/p>\n

Honorees include Taria Blanchard<\/strong> (Toledo Public Schools), Melissa A. Stephens<\/strong> (City of Toledo Police Department), Coach Mose Hairson<\/strong> (Jesup W. Scott High School), Dr. Antwan Atia <\/strong>(The Toledo Clinic), Mick Murnen<\/strong> (Ottawa Jermain Park Advisory Board), Jack\u2019s Mens Wear<\/strong>, Pete Coates<\/strong> (Pete\u2019s Body Shop), Coach Alto King Jr.<\/strong> (Bethlehem Baptist Church), Maria White<\/strong> (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Ohio), Trevor Black<\/strong> (retired educator, Toledo Public Schools), Susan Mulligan<\/strong> (Community Advocate), Pastor Brandon Foster<\/strong> (Indiana Missionary Baptist Church), and Kim Highsmith<\/strong> (educator, Woodward High School).<\/p>\n

It was an event designed to provide opportunities for attendees to interact through music, storytelling and youth performances. The reason for this second annual Difference Makers celebration was made clear \u2013 Rep. Rogers believes that recognition does something simple but powerful. Recognition lets people know they are seen and reminds them that their work matters.<\/p>\n