The 2024 LWVMC Honoree was Reverend John Edgar for his lifelong commitment to the residents of the Southside of Columbus and his advocacy for inclusive & affordable housing in Franklin County. Rev. John Edgar is the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church for All People on South Parsons Avenue. The community organization includes a free store for clothing and housing items, and a market that offers free, fresh produce to 35,000 low-income individuals each year. Increasing affordable housing is one of the goals of Edgar’s ministry. Since 2012, Rev. Edgar, in his leadership with the Church developed $50 million worth of affordable housing in the Southside neighborhood. After retiring from the Church in 2022, Rev. Edgar continues to work on bringing affordable and inclusive housing to Franklin County
 
There is a body of evidence from Harvard University and other research that links stable housing to better educational outcomes, safer neighborhoods and increased voter turnout. In selecting Reverend Edgar, we agree with a recent issue of Apartment List that “Homeowners have a large financial motivation to vote when they perceive that the policies at stake could impact local property values.”  

 Rev. Edgar selected two honorary co-chairs for the event: Dr. Kelly J. Kelleher, VP Community Health at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Dr. Lisa Courtice, President and CEO of United Way of Central Ohio.

Sue Wolfe is John Edgar's wife. Read Dispatch article about her as an Everyday Hero.  

Rev. Edgar has a Master of Divinity degree, cum laude from Harvard University and a Bachelor’s degree in sociology, magna cum laude from Miami University.  He has been an adjunct faculty member at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio.