Six Publix associates were honored with the Mr. George Community Service Award for outstanding commitment to their communities during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting.
Publix founder George Jenkins believed that the company and its associates should make a difference in their communities. The Mr. George Community Service Award annually recognizes associates who have continued his legacy of giving back.
Among this year’s recipients is Miami Division Customer Service Team Leader Steven Ferreiro, who began working in his community at a young age by helping with food drives for his church and with food distribution through his high school.
In 2019, he founded his own nonprofit, Helping Others and Giving Hope.
Ferreiro helped provide temporary housing to two ICU nurses who lost their homes in a fire in 2020, which gave a boost to Helping Others and Giving Hope. The story landed him an appearance on a national daytime show, where his organization received a $30,000 donation, which helped him build a mobile food pantry.
“We’ve been able to raise over $200,000 to give back to the community,” said Ferreiro. “It’s an incredible achievement that we couldn’t have accomplished alone.”
Ferreiro was brought to tears and humbled when he learned he had been selected as a recipient of the Mr. George Community Service Award.
“Receiving this award has inspired me to keep going,” said Ferreiro. “I want to inspire my fellow associates to do big things and give back to their communities.”
In the future, Ferreiro hopes to establish a brick-and-mortar pantry for Helping Others and Giving Hope.
Other recipients are:
- Atlanta Division Store Manager Henry Louis Bradley III, who started volunteering during high school by participating in food drives and beach clean-ups. Starting in 2020, he began volunteering with Jeremiah’s Garden, which helps people get the fruits and vegetables they need to cook healthy meals. Bradley gives not only his time but also finds volunteers for the organization;
- Charlotte Division Store Manager Jason Wilkes, whose passion for helping others developed when he started with Publix while attending the University of Alabama. Now, while managing a store in Mooresville, North Carolina, Wilkes is deeply involved in his community. His efforts inspire the associates he works with to get involved in events that benefit organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Feeding Americaand Second Harvest Food Bank;
- Jacksonville Division Store Manager Meredith Pearson, who developed a passion for volunteering when she started at Publix nearly 25 years ago. Pearson has been active in United Way for the last 14 years and earned the Jim and Nancy Burns Emerging Philanthropy Award in 2020 for her continued efforts. She also serves on the board of Habitat for Humanity of St. Augustine/St. Johns County;
- Lakeland Division Assistant Store Manager Liz Plemons, whose love for volunteering took off when she served as a Publix coordinator for United Way in 2009. Over the past several years, she has given her time to many nonprofits in Polk County, Florida, including the Polk County Bully Project, a foster-based animal rescue. That group and Achievement Academy, a charter school for children with special needs, are the two causes she is most passionate about; and
- Business Development Director of Dry Grocery and Non-Food Consumables Cindy Roberts, a board member for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County and Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. She’s also a long-time volunteer and donor to the United Way.
Since 1995, 159 associates have received this honor.
“George Jenkins believed that for a company to be successful, it needs to be involved in the communities it serves,” said Publix CEO Kevin Murphy. “I’m proud of our associates for carrying on his legacy of giving back through their dedication to improving their communities.”
About the award
Each year, one associate from each retail division and one support associate are recognized with the award.
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