Mr. George believed you get more out of giving than receiving. And, he set the bar high when it came to giving back to his community. He had genuine compassion for people and cared greatly about doing the right thing. Today, Publix associates continue Mr. George’s legacy of giving by dedicating their time, money and talents to their communities.

Each year, Publix recognizes one retail associate from each division and one support associate for serving others; not just where they work, but in the places they live. For this reason, we honor them with the Mr. George Community Service Award. This year, we’re honoring Atlanta, Jacksonville, Lakeland and Miami divisions — as well as one support winner — and will begin recognizing a Charlotte Division associate next year.

In addition to the award, each winner receives $5,000 donated to the charity or charities of their choice, three days off with pay, a personalized trophy and a dinner with Publix executives.

Atlanta Division – Store Manager Bryan Jewell
Jacksonville Division – Store Manager Abe Gonzalez
Lakeland Division – Assistant Store Manager Crystal Marlow
Miami Division – Store Manager Steve Lafferty
Support – Director of Manufacturing Business Development Karen King

Atlanta Division
Store Manager Bryan Jewell | #554, Cartersville, Ga.

Bryan developed a servant’s heart as a young kid in Boy Scouts. A chance encounter with Mr. George solidified his desire to help people.

“When I first started working at Publix, I wasn’t sure who was who. One day a man came into my store and spoke to me about my involvement in the community,” said Bryan. “I told him I was about to become an Eagle Scout. A week or so later, I received a package in the mail from the man — Mr. George. It showed me just how much he believed in giving back, and it made me want to do it even more.”

Today, he’s passing that legacy on to his two sons — who are also scouts — as well as countless Publix associates.

Bryan’s passion is mentoring children and being a positive role model for them. Once a month, he and his family, along with a group of co-workers volunteer at the Flowering Branch Children’s Shelter. There, they make dinner, play sports and spend time with the kids. He’s also an assistant scoutmaster for his son’s troop, serves on the United Way Allocations Committee and the Bartow Christmas Board. Bryan’s charitable donation will be shared between Advocates for Bartow’s Children and the Boy Scouts.

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Jacksonville Division
Store Manager Abe Gonzalez | #442, Altamonte Springs, Fla.

For Abe, seeing the need in his community’s schools motivated him to get involved. He volunteers at a number of elementary, middle and high schools, doing everything from supplying time, support and food for the kids to acting as an honorary teacher during county teach-ins.

Abe takes every opportunity to share the Publix culture with students, and they look up to him. He gives back to his community not for recognition, but because he believes it’s the right thing to do.

“Mr. George set the ultimate example for giving back, so it’s my job to follow his lead,” said Abe. “We look forward to our customers saying, ‘I always shop at my Publix,’ and it’s important for me to say, ‘I always take care of the people in my community.’”

In addition to his work in the schools, Abe is involved with the Boys and Girls Club and is active in his church. Abe’s charitable donation will be divided among Heart of Florida United Way, the YMCA, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.

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Lakeland Division
Assistant Store Manager Crystal Marlow | #1394, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Crystal learned about giving back by working at Publix. She started working when she was 17 and immediately began to get involved. Her passion is helping children who are battling cancer. Each December, Crystal helps organize the Kids with Cancer Party, an event where children who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments can have a night of worry-free fun and get gifts from Santa.

“These kids go through so much, so the party is all about creating an atmosphere where they don’t have to think about treatments, or their diagnosis or prognosis,” said Crystal. “It’s just about having fun. Some of the kids and their parents say we changed their lives, but really, they change ours.”

Crystal encourages her family and co-workers to get involved, too. And, although she battles Lupus, an autoimmune disease that can cause her to be very weak or tired, she never lets it get her down. She’s also involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, American Cancer Society and Habitat for Humanity.

“Sometimes my associates ask me why I’m so involved, so I’ll invite them to volunteer with me,” said Crystal. “Once they see the effect one person can have on a community, and they feel the great feeling you get from helping someone, they always want to go back.”

Crystal’s charitable donation will be given to the Kids with Cancer Party and the Lupus Foundation.

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Miami Division
Store Manager Steve Lafferty | #118, Okeechobee, Fla.

Steve learned what it means to get involved from one of the best — 2010 Mr. George Community Service Award winner District Manager Tim Maloney. When Tim became Steve’s store manager in 1996, one of the first jobs on his list was to get out and meet people in his new community. He sent Steve to the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce and the Cattlemen’s Association. And, Steve has been giving his all to those organizations — and more — ever since.

“I learned the value of helping people at a very early age because someone helped me,” said Steve. “Giving back to my community is my way of paying it forward and making someone else’s life better.”

Today, Steve is involved with multiple agencies, such as United Way and March of Dimes, and strives to be the best community partner he can be — with the help of his associates, of course.

“If my associates know it’s important to me, they make it important to themselves. We all have a responsibility to continue to set the example of Mr. George, and I feel fortunate to be able to do that,” said Steve.

Steve’s charitable donation will be divided between Hospice of Okeechobee and My Aunt’s House, a clothing store for underprivileged children.

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Support
Director of Manufacturing Business Development Karen King

Karen began volunteering in college, but her passion for her community truly developed six years ago when she became a Girl Scout leader for her niece’s troop. Since then, her focus has been on helping children and teens grow, mature and become successful. She does this through her involvement in Girl Scouts and InnerAct Alliance — a substance abuse prevention program for youth. She also serves on the board of the University of South Florida’s Industrial Management and Systems Engineering Department, where she speaks to students about developing their future and thinking through the realities of achieving their professional goals.

“I realize how fortunate I am to have had a good upbringing, a great family and a lot of support growing up,” said Karen. “And, I believe it’s my responsibility to provide some of that to children and young adults so hopefully one day, they will too. Seeing kids grow and mature — especially the young scouts — has really had an impact on me, and I feel fortunate to be able to make a difference for them.”

Karen’s charitable donation will be given to the Girl Scouts of America, InnerAct Alliance, USF’s Industrial Management and Systems Engineering Department, and CCAI Adoption Services.

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Online Exclusive

Watch the acceptance speeches from this year’s Mr. George Community Service Award winners. Just click the images above to watch each associate’s speech.