Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM MARCH 2024 60 B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S W illiam Lowry, founder and president of No Child Hungry, proudly presented The President's Volunteer Service Award to Nationwide Marketing Group CEO Tom Hickman at a ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida. The organization honored Hickman for his years of volunteer service and support. 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 that give hundreds of hours per year to help those in need. Since its inception, the award has continued under each administration, honoring volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to solve challenges facing our nation. Led by AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, the program allows Certifying Organizations such as No Child Hungry to recognize their most exceptional volunteers. In a presentation ceremony at The Breakers Resort, the non-profit recognized Hickman's ongoing volunteer service with 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. Mike Whitaker, SVP and COO of No Child Hungry, said, "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, he's answered the call to serve personally. 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." During the presentation, Hickman received a personalized certificate, an official coin and medallion, and a congratulatory letter from President Biden. Lowry said, "The mission-focused success of No Child Hungry over the past decade would never have been possible without the selfless volunteers that have enabled us to distribute nearly 60 million meals to children in need. 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." No Child Hungry was granted authority to bestow the President's Volunteer Service Awards as an official certifying organization in 2023. Whitaker added, "We find it so important to recognize those exceptional volunteers who have given hundreds of hours to support our mission. 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 its on-going distribution of meals in war-ravaged Ukraine, and mobilized large-scale relief efforts in Maui, HI 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. According to Lowry, "It takes partners like Tom to undertake something as ambitious as our movement toward a billion meals in the next decade. However, it's because of partners like him that we know this mission is possible, and we're confident we'll succeed." NMG EXECUTIVE RECEIVES PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD Tom Hickman, CEO of Nationwide Marketing Group, honored with prestigious award at Florida event RO Tom Hickman, CEO, Nationwide Marketing Group RO

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