01
Listen to the campus community.
Collect nominations for campus employees and students whose consistency, care, and hard work deserve to be seen.
The Ohio State University Chapter
A new community.
The same mission.
A student-led initiative recognizing campus employees and students whose hard work often goes unnoticed—and creating meaningful moments of appreciation across Ohio State’s campus.
Community impact at Ohio State
Recognition built into a culture of gratitude.
02
Fundraise with purpose.
Create events and partnerships that raise money for recognition while directing support toward local businesses.
03
Create meaningful surprises.
Use gift cards and moments of appreciation to help build a stronger culture of gratitude and recognition across campus.
Why bring it to Ohio State?
The mission was always meant to travel.
Helping the Hardworking began in Ellie’s hometown. College created an opportunity to bring the same idea into another community she has grown to care about.
Recognize people who often work behind the scenes.
Support local businesses rather than treating fundraising and community support as separate goals.
Make gratitude visible through stories, surprises, and social media.
Give students an approachable way to participate through meetings, fundraising, nominations, and awareness.
Get involved
You do not need a formal title to help.
Students can attend meetings, help with fundraisers, spread awareness, connect the project with local businesses, and encourage people to nominate deserving hard workers.
First chapter priorities
Build awareness. Raise funds. Recognize people meaningfully.
The chapter’s early focus is on establishing a recognizable presence on campus, creating fundraising opportunities, and gathering nominations so recipients can be celebrated around the holiday season.
Awareness
Introduce Helping the Hardworking to students, campus employees, and local partners through outreach, events, and social media.
Fundraising
Plan events that can raise money while also supporting small businesses and bringing people together.
Recognition
Turn nominations into personal moments that make hard workers feel genuinely seen and appreciated.
Ohio State community
Who deserves to be recognized?
Nominate a campus employee or student whose hard work deserves recognition—even if they never ask for attention themselves.