Publix recognizes 6 associates for community involvement

Recipients receive a personalized award, a feature in an internal company publication, dinner with Publix executives, three days off with pay, and $5,000 donated to the charity or charities of their choosing.

4/18/2022

Publix is presenting six of its associates with the Mr. George Community Service Award for their community involvement initiatives.

Named after the retailer’s founder, George Jenkins who affectionately was known as Mr. George, the award is in homage to his belief that Publix and its associates should make a difference in the communities they serve, the Lakeland, Fla.-based retailer said.

To recognize associates who exemplify this commitment to service, the retailer established the Mr. George Community Service Award in 1995 and has since then awarded it to honor 141 associates.

“As a company, part of our mission is to be involved as responsible citizens in our communities,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “Mr. George’s philosophy was simply to give, without receiving anything in return. The work these extraordinary associates perform continues his legacy of giving back.”

Each year, one associate from each retail division and one support associate are recognized with the award. Those who are selected are actively involved in their communities, display high personal integrity and represent the spirit of Publix’s late founder, the company said.

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This year’s recipients include:

Ben Robb, store manager in Madison, Ala., which is part of the Atlanta division. Robb serves on the board of directors of United Way of Madison County as campaign chair and community impact chair. He created a bicycle challenge to collect bikes in order to benefit Christmas Charities Year Round;
Kelsey Palmer, assistant customer service manager at Mount Pleasant, S.C., which is part of the Charlotte division. Palmer volunteers at several VA hospitals and supports Fisher House;
Rhett Bagwell, store manager in Tallahassee, Fla., which is part of the Jacksonville division. Bagwell joined the board of United Way of the Big Bend in 2017, and volunteers with Reading Pals’ program mentoring program that helps struggling readers;
Stacy Bidwell, assistant customer service manager in North Port, Fla., which is part of the Lakeland division. Bidwell is involved with All Faiths Food Bank and began working with the Women’s Resource Center;
Erika Serkin, store manager at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., which is part of the Miami division. Serkin is a member of the parent-teacher organization, sits on the School Advisory Council and volunteers at Title 1 schools in her area; and
Melanie Bonanno, director of employment law and investigations, which is part of the support division. Bonanno is a founding board member of Angels for Change and serves on the advisory board of the Emergency Care Help Organization.

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