Linda B. Grandolfo Receives Top Honors
The Arthritis Foundation’s presents the Charles B. Harding Award for Distinguished Service, the highest national volunteer recognition.
By Anthony Williams | March 12, 2024
The Charles B. Harding Award for Distinguished Service is the highest level of national volunteer recognition from the Arthritis Foundation. The award was established in 1976 in honor of one of the Foundation’s most well-known chairs, a nationally regarded philanthropist.
Linda B. Grandolfo, the Harding Award honoree at this year’s conference, didn’t know she would eventually encounter arthritis herself, firsthand. She first got to know us through Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII), the women's fraternity supporting our work since 1967, which she joined and has poured her heart into ever since. Linda saw early on what a worthwhile cause this is — and has shown time after time how much she believes in the important work we do.
Linda has served on the Arthritis Foundation’s leadership board in the Greater Chicago market for many years, including chairing the board for five years. And she enthusiastically drives fundraising for our events and building awareness of our mission. Linda has also continued cultivating her deep roots with AOII, encouraging her sisters’ ongoing support of the Foundation’s mission. AOII presented their biggest gift ever to the Foundation in 2023: $1 million to help fund summer camps for kids with JA, the JA Family Summit, scholarships, our support of CARRA, our Helpline and several scientific research initiatives.
Linda’s commitment and dedication to the arthritis community is unparalleled. And the Arthritis Foundation congratulates her on this well-deserved recognition!
See previous Harding Award winners
Stay in the Know. Live in the Yes.
Get involved with the arthritis community. Tell us a little about yourself and, based on your interests, you’ll receive emails packed with the latest information and resources to live your best life and connect with others.