Springfield attorney named 2015 Humanitarian

A Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce-organized committee selected Springfield attorney Kurt Larson as the recipient of the 2015 Humanitarian Award.

Larson, the founder of personal injury practice Larson Law LLC, will be honored at a Dec. 8 luncheon at DoubleTree Hotel, according to a news release from Community Foundation of the Ozarks, which manages the fund that supports the award.

Twelve years ago, Larson founded the Safe and Sober Prom Night campaign, which educates teens about the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol. Starting at Springfield Public Schools, the program has expanded to reach over 127,000 students at 291 high schools statewide.

“Mr. Larson embodies the very definition of a social reformer by aiming to change the culture of underage drinking in Missouri,” said Pam Holt, a Springfield registered nurse and former Mercy patient director who wrote a letter of support for Larson, in the release.

Larson, who also serves on local underage drinking and DWI task forces, gives school presentations, distributes pledge cards and has donated money to the Safe and Sober program.

While the chamber organizes a committee to review nominations and select the annual recipient, CFO manages the fund established in 1990 by Jewell Thompson Schweitzer. The winner receives a $3,000 cash reward, which is traditionally donated to charity.