Spring Fling 2026: A Night of Celebration, Community, and Construction-Fueled Impact
August 26, 2026
The 2026 Spirit of Construction Spring Fling on May 20, 2026 brought together partners, nonprofits, industry leaders, and supporters for an evening that showcased the power of collaboration and investment in the region’s future workforce. From heartfelt messages to major grant announcements, the event highlighted how deeply the construction community is committed to lifting others up.
John Albrecht of Perfection Group kicked off the evening with a welcome message then introduced Spirit of Construction (SOC) Outreach Committee Chair Stephanie Hall, who delivered the night’s most inspiring news: the Outreach Committee received 34 grant applications totaling $455,000 in funding requests, and after a thorough vetting process, selected 21 nonprofits from Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky to receive $172,365 in funding.
Our Funding Partners
The first group of awards recognized nonprofits supported jointly by SOC Outreach Fund and the Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation, which contributed $38,522 this year. Representatives Ruth Klette and Jordan Klette-Cusher joined Stephanie to present funding to organizations including:
- Butler/Warren County Electrical Joint Apprenticeship & Training
- CAMP
- Campbell County ATC
- Design Lab
- Habitat for Humanity
- Holmes High School
- Oh She Built That
These grants reflect Elsa Sule’s legacy of supporting education, community, and the arts across the tri-state region.
Since 2008, SOC has distributed over $1.2 million in outreach grants, and this year added $99,618 more to that impact. John Albrecht and Courtney Stylski of Perfection Group helped present awards to:
- Adopt a Class Foundation
- Brighton Center
- Enzweiler Building Institute
- Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
- Goshen Local School District
- LEAD Training
- Learning Grove – NaviGO
- Scrap 2 Home
These nonprofits help young people and adults explore construction careers through hands-on learning—an essential investment in the industry’s future.
The SOC Endowment Fund, established in 2024, has already invested over $100,000 across Workforce Development, Scholarship, General Fund, and Outreach. This year, $24,625 was awarded to:
- Cincinnati ToolBank
- Taylor High School
- TOOLS Foundation
Endowment Co-Chairs Mark Nelson and Fleet Fangman joined Stephanie to present these meaningful contributions.
The SOC Emerging Leaders group continues to grow its impact. With personal contributions matched by Bray Construction and John & Betsy Strawser, the group donated $9,600 this year. President Ali Hubbard presented grants to:
- Cincinnati Works
- Holy Cross
- Reading Community Schools
This initiative reflects the passion of young professionals who are shaping the future of the construction community.
To close the evening, Stephanie welcomed Regina Hartfiel, Chair of the Lifetime Honoree Selection Committee, who announced the 2026 honorees:
- Mark Luegering
- Mike Huseman
- Paul Hemmer
These leaders will be celebrated at the 30th Annual Gala on October 24, 2026, at the Cincinnati Convention Center.
The Spring Fling wasn’t just an event—it was a celebration of generosity, leadership, and the shared mission to strengthen the construction industry by investing in people. From major grant announcements to honoring lifelong contributors, the evening showcased the Spirit of Construction at its best.
