Every year, during this month of Volunteer Appreciation, we honor, recognize and thank the people who give so unselfishly of their time and talent to the Lacey Food Bank. In 2010 we presented our very first Friend of the Food Bank award to a community member who went above and beyond in service to their neighbors. When we talked about who, of the many kind benefactors we could honor at today’s luncheon, one man’s name was met with a resounding affirmation. That man, was Bill Whitson. Bill Whitson was a long time friend of the Lacey Food Bank and an even longer time member of the Forked River Rotary. And while he participated in many worthwhile causes his most challenging and fulfilling campaign as a Rotarian was to provide Thanksgiving dinner to the needy families in Lacey Township. Working closely with us, his Rotarian family and other community partners, over the years Bill was the driving force for providing full Thanksgiving dinners to thousands of people right here in town. Think about this, in just the last 8 years Bill Whitson facilitated the gifting of over 12,000 POUNDS of turkeys, a ton of cranberry sauce and more than 20,000 dinner rolls!! Today, we’d like to present this coveted award to his wife, Mrs. Sue Whitson with our Thanks and Appreciation for Bill’s many years of friendship and service above self.
The award was given in memory of Bill Whitson of the Rotary Club of Forked River. It was presented to Mrs. Sue Whitson who was accompanied by her daughter and niece and Rotary President Linda Kostrowski and Rotary President-elect Tony Angona. Mrs. Whitson was also presented with a keepsake Lacey Food Bank Volunteer Pin in recognition of her husband’s many years of service to us.