Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) CEO Tom Hickman was honored with The President’s Volunteer Service Award at a ceremony at The Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. William Lowry, Founder and President of No Child Hungry, presented the award and recognized Hickman for his years of volunteer service and support on behalf of the organization. Hickman has served as a volunteer both domestically and internationally, joining No Child Hungry teams as far away as Haiti, and most recently, during disaster relief efforts in Maui, Hawaii.
“The mission-focused success of No Child Hungry over the past decade would have never been possible without the selfless volunteers that have enabled us to distribute nearly sixty million meals to children in need,” said Lowry. “Tom has been just such a volunteer. His leadership at Nationwide Marketing Group has resulted in more than 2.6 million meals for kids packed by their network, and he’s been right there, in the thick of it, both packing and distributing meals all along the way.”
The President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) is a civil award bestowed by the President of the United States. Established by executive order of George W. Bush in 2003, the award honors volunteers who give hundreds of hours per year helping those in need. Since its inception, the award has continued under each administration, honoring volunteers who are using their time and talents to solve challenges facing our nation. Led by AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, this program allows Certifying Organizations like No Child Hungry to recognize their most exceptional volunteers.
During the presentation, Hickman received a personalized certificate, an official coin and medallion, and a congratulatory letter from President Biden.
“Since Tom first kicked off his organization’s efforts with us back in 2018, he’s been a great partner. Not only has he inspired thousands to join this effort through Nationwide’s support of meal packing at their events, but he’s also answered the call to serve personally,” said Mike Whitaker, SVP and COO of No Child Hungry. “Carving out time as an executive can be challenging, but Tom’s willingness to be hands-on and build relationships during distribution efforts is special. Great leaders inspire others to follow their lead, not just with words, but with action. They lead by example, and this is what sets them far apart from the rest. Tom has exemplified this dynamic for years.”
No Child Hungry was granted authority to bestow the President’s Volunteer Service Awards as an official certifying organization in 2023. “We find it so important to recognize those exceptional volunteers who have given hundreds of hours to support our mission,” added Whitaker. “As President Bush said, “There can be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others.” We believe that recognizing those who go far above and beyond in their volunteer efforts is paramount. They serve as an inspiration to others, and an example we can all follow.”
Nationwide Marketing Group, the organization Hickman leads, has been a partner of No Child Hungry for nearly six years. In addition to sponsoring meal packing at their bi-annual trade shows, the company has also supported recent domestic and international disaster relief efforts. In 2023, Nationwide provided much-needed resources as No Child Hungry responded to the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, continued their ongoing distribution of meals in war-ravaged Ukraine, and mobilized large-scale relief efforts in Maui, Hawaii in the wake of the August wildfires.
At the same event where Hickman was honored, No Child Hungry also launched their 1BN10 initiative, committing to distribute a billion meals in the next ten years. “It takes partners like Tom to do something as ambitious as our movement toward a billion meals in the next decade,” added Lowry “However, it’s because of partners like him that we know this mission is possible, and we’re confident we’ll succeed.”
About No Child Hungry
No Child Hungry was established in 2012 as the feeding program of My Neighbor’s Children. Working with corporate and community-based groups, No Child Hungry packs nutritious meals, holds drives, and works with those groups to give the meals to people in need. The organization is based in Apopka, Florida, and maintains facilities in Phoenix, Arizona and Atlanta, Georgia. A federally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit, No Child Hungry is rated 100/100 with 4/4 stars by Charity Navigator. Learn more at nochildhungry.net.
About the President’s Volunteer Service Award
In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too. The PVSA has continued under each administration, honoring the volunteers who are using their time and talents to solve some of the toughest challenges facing our nation. Led by AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, this program allows Certifying Organizations to recognize their most exceptional volunteers.
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