Long-time Hamilton residents Joel and Marilyn Schmidt were honored Tuesday by The Hamilton Community Foundation with the third annual David L. Belew Legacy Award.

The foundation staff and board confer the award annually to individuals in the community who support area charities and causes with their time and energy, according to Vice President Katie Braswell.

“We have quite a few folks in Hamilton who fit that description,” Braswell said, “so it’s not an easy decision to make, but we felt the Schmidts fit the bill.”

“For over 50 years, (the Schmidts) have made significant financial gifts for the benefit of our community,” David L. Belew said in presenting the award at the foundation’s annual meeting. “Their generosity has been matched by their leadership and their sharing of their time and their talents.”

The Schmidts’ relationship to the foundation dates back to the 1980s, Belew said, and Joel served as president in 1989 and 1990.

“Many of their gifts are anonymous, but they have supported so many charities and causes, including the Community Development Fund, the Fitton Center for Creative Arts, The United Way, the Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Orchestra, the Boys and Girls Club and their church, the Presbyterian Church,” he said.

The Schmidts are members of the Legacy Society, individuals who have designated the Hamilton Community Foundation in their estate plans.

“The Legacy Society allows us to move forward as we think about the future and ways that we can support the foundation into the future,” said HCF Board President Kathy Klink.

Marilyn and Joel Schmidt moved to Hamilton in 1953.

“At the time, Joel was associated with the Shell Oil Company,” Belew said. “Their neighbors… offered them a partnership opportunities in the opening of two new McDonalds.”

“In 1969 they bought out the interest and for 23 years they owned and operated McDonalds in six different locations. Four of their five grandchildren are now a part of the family business and recently the fourth generation, their great-grandson, began working part-time at a family McDonalds,” Belew said.

“I’ve always been impressed with Joel’s wisdom and his effective leadership,” he said.

“Both Joel and Marilyn have touched practically every corner of this community. If something is good for Hamilton, you can be certain they are a part of it,” Belew said.

“This is a true honor,” Joel Schmidt said in accepting the award. “I feel both humble and proud.”

“We feel so blessed that in 1963, we were sent to Hamilton. We had no idea we’d still be here 50 years later,” he said.

The award trophy is a miniature version of the Lane-Hooven House, the historic home of the Hamilton Community Foundation. Belew was the first recipient of the award in 2010.