From left: Jason Wilkes, Liz Plemons, Meredith Pearson, Steven Ferreiro, Cindy Roberts and Henry Louis Bradley III.
Mr. George believed that an organization must give back to be successful. He was once asked, “How much do you think you’d be worth today if you hadn’t given away so much?” Without hesitation, he answered, “Probably nothing.”
Mr. George set the example of being involved in the community. Today, we honor associates who carry on his legacy of giving back with the Mr. George Community Service Award.
Each year, 6 associates — 1 from each division and a support associate — who are actively involved in their communities earn the award. Our 2025 recipients help children, feed neighbors in need, build homes and more.
Atlanta Division
Store Manager Henry Louis Bradley III
#1075, Northport, Alabama
Henry started volunteering during high school by participating in food drives and beach clean-ups.
“I feel compelled to help others in my community and make them feel cared for,” Henry said.
Starting in 2020, he began volunteering with Jeremiah’s Garden, which helps people get the fruits and vegetables they need to cook healthy meals. Henry gives not only his time but also finds volunteers for the organization.
“Last October, I was able to gather a group to set up and tear down a local event where proceeds were going to help the community garden,” said Henry. “I want to help the organization in any way that I’m able.”
Henry believes the most important thing you can do is assess other people’s needs and give what you can, whether it’s time, money or talent.
He feels humbled by this award.
“I love giving back to my community and having a team around me who makes things happen,” said Henry. “It’s a privilege to work for a company that celebrates the work associates do in the communities we serve.”
In the future, Henry plans to do more mentoring.
Charlotte Division
Store Manager Jason Wilkes
#1519, Mooresville, North Carolina
Jason’s passion for helping others developed when he started with Publix while attending the University of Alabama. He learned about the importance of serving his community from his managers, and he began to participate in company fundraisers.
As a store manager in Mooresville, North Carolina, Jason is deeply involved in his community. He serves on the city’s chamber of commerce and coordinates with the parks and recreation department to clean up and improve parks. He also sets up events to support after-school programs at the Neighborhood Care Center in Cornelius, North Carolina, and Woodland Discovery in Concord, North Carolina. Jason’s efforts inspire his associates to participate in events that benefit organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Feeding America partner food banks.
Jason said the award inspired him to reflect on how important being an involved member of the community was to Mr. George.
“He understood the importance of giving back,” said Jason. “He had an appreciation of what life provided him through hard work and dedication, and he wanted to show his gratitude by helping his community. That mindset extended to his associates, and I’m humbled and honored by this experience.”
Beyond this recognition, Jason says he takes his volunteering efforts 1 day at a time. Whenever an opportunity presents itself to make a difference in his community, he will be there.
Jacksonville Division
Store Manager Meredith Pearson
#99, Saint Augustine, Florida
Meredith developed a passion for volunteering when she started at Publix nearly 25 years ago. She saw her managers demonstrate our culture of being responsible citizens in the community.
“The culture really inspired me and encouraged me to help others,” said Meredith. “There are so many opportunities in our community to get involved.”
She 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 Saint Augustine/St. Johns County.
At Publix, Meredith takes the lead in getting associates involved. She organizes her district’s volunteer events during our 2 annual Publix Serves weeks. In addition, she created a food drive that collected more than 2,600 pounds of food, which was distributed to local food banks.
Meredith considers this award one of the greatest accomplishments she could receive at Publix because it represents the difference that volunteering can make.
“This award means the most to me because it’s so important that we’re out in our community,” said Meredith. “To earn this based on my service is so neat because it’s something I’ve really put a lot of myself and my time into.”
Meredith isn’t stopping anytime soon. This spring, she participated in a United Way event and a Habitat for Humanity project, and she is always learning about different organizations that can positively impact her associates and her community.
Lakeland Division
Assistant Store Manager Liz Plemons
#1659, Lakeland, Florida
Liz began volunteering with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life events. Her love of giving back took off when she served as a Publix coordinator for United Way in 2009.
“That showed me just how many organizations in our community could really use a helping hand,” said Liz. “I’m especially devoted to those that help children and animals.”
Over the past several years, she has donated her time to many nonprofits in Polk County, Florida, including the Boys & Girls Clubs, March of Dimes, One More Child, Heartland for Children and Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine.
Since 2020, Liz has also served on the events team for 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 2 causes she is most passionate about.
“The team at Achievement Academy is just amazing,” said Liz. “It’s more than a job for those who work there, and you can tell how passionate they are about the kids. It’s heartwarming to be involved with people like that.”
She was brought to tears when our CEO Kevin Murphy and Executive Chairman Todd Jones told her that she earned this honor.
“I love that I’m able to advocate for organizations that I’m passionate about and get the word out about them,” Liz said.
One of her future goals is to become a board member of an organization she’s dedicated to helping.
Miami Division
Customer Service Team Leader Steven Ferreiro
#222, Miami
Steven began working in his community at a young age by helping with food drives for his church. In high school, he was motivated to help others by distributing food through his school.
“The majority of my Friday nights were spent helping my community,” said Steven. “I used to sit in my bunk bed and dream of projects I could do to help.”
In 2019, he founded a nonprofit organization, Helping Others and Giving Hope.
Steven helped provide temporary housing to 2 ICU nurses who lost their homes in a fire in 2020. This act of kindness allowed Helping Others and Giving Hope to soar. 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 raised over $200,000 to give back to the community,” said Steven. “It’s an incredible achievement that we couldn’t have accomplished alone.”
He was brought to tears and humbled when he learned he was a recipient of the award.
“Receiving this award has inspired me to keep going,” said Steven. “I want to inspire my fellow associates to do big things and give back to their communities.”
In the future, Steven hopes to establish a brick-and-mortar pantry for Helping Others and Giving Hope.
Support
Business Development Director of Dry Grocery and Non-Food Consumables Cindy Roberts
Corporate Purchasing, Lakeland, Florida
Cindy is dedicated to helping others in central Florida, and her work benefits several groups.
“Volunteering has always been important to me,” said Cindy. “Whether it was being involved in organizations like the Camp Fire Sunshine Central Florida or Operation Christmas Child, I’ve always felt compelled to give back to others.”
She currently serves on the boards of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County and the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. She’s also a longtime volunteer and donor to the United Way.
“Giving to United Way has opened up so many doors for me to discover new organizations and help them in any way that I can,” Cindy said.
By volunteering with the United Way’s Community Investment Teams, Cindy was introduced to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County and became a board member.
“The Boys & Girls Clubs is such an invaluable resource for our community,” said Cindy. “It helps provide a safe space for children to get involved after school in physical activity and tutoring while also providing meals.”
She is humbled to receive the award.
“My heart is full of gratitude for receiving an award that carries our founder’s name,” said Cindy. “It’s an honor to demonstrate our mission to be responsible citizens in the communities we serve.”
In the future, Cindy wants to continue volunteering and making a positive impact on others.
