David Freyling Community Impact Award Presented

Dan Hardy

     The David Freyling Community Impact annual award was created in memory of David Freyling. Mr. Freyling was a veteran and continued to serve his fellow veterans and community in many capacities until his death in 2018. Dave Freyling was the spokesman and emcee for the Cruise 11 event until his death. The 2025 recipient is Dan Hardy. The award is sponsored by History of the Heartland and Cruise 11 to Remember 9-11. It was presented to Dan on Sunday, September 7 at the 17th annual Cruise 11 event in Central Park.
     “I am proud to present this Community Impact Award to Dan Hardy. In our world today we need more people like David Freyling was and Dan Hardy is,” said Ayn Owens, creator of the award. “I watched David Freyling go above and beyond to serve this community and I continue to see Dan step up to the plate to serve our community needs by investing in rehabilitating events and venue with a positive perspective.”
     “Because of the investments made by Dan and Donna Schum Hardy from his family’s foundation…. Decatur is taking big steps to move forward,” Owens continued. Here’s a few of the projects Dan has generously moved forward in recent years …. Transfer House renovations, Lincoln Square Theater renovations and after decades of absence from Lake Decatur, Hardy’s: Race for the Lake ( the Decatur Boat Races).