OCEAN CITY – The Exchange Club of Ocean City has chosen community volunteer Jack Hagan as the recipient of the 54th Annual Golden Deeds Award. The honor was presented during a dinner at Clancy’s By The Bay Restaurant June 10.
Each year since 1966, the Ocean City Exchange Club has chosen a worthy Cape May County or Atlantic County individual or group exemplifying dedication and service to children in need, community, and country to receive the award.
The honoree must demonstrate sacrifices and unselfish service to worthwhile causes for public good. The Golden Deeds Award is the highest honor the Exchange Club can award.
“Volunteer efforts are very important to our community, and should not go unnoticed,” said John Van Stone, who nominated Hagan. “The Book of Golden Deeds Award recognizes dedicated volunteers who give endless hours of their time and talent toward making our community a better place to live. The only ‘no’ in Jack’s vocabulary is ‘no problem’.”
Hagan has had a life-long love of family and community. He is a U.S. Navy veteran, a member of Ocean City’s American Legion Post 524, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 955, AMVETS, a Life Member of Knights of Columbus, and a member of South Lake Lodge of the Florida Elks.
Hagan is an active member of the Ocean City Exchange Club, and is the 12th member to receive The Book of Golden Deeds Award.
At the American Legion, Hagan is Post Adjutant, Canteen Manager, Chairman of the annual New Jersey Run for the Fallen, Post Coordinator with state and national Legion affiliates, and handles all internal communication, including the weekly Post newsletter and website.
Hagan’s volunteering energies also extend to Ocean’s City’s annual Memorial Day service, where he has been a regular speaker, the annual Walk for the Wounded event, and representing the Post at Ocean City’s yearly Block Party.
“Were it not for Jack Hagan, the Legion family would not be as successful as it is today,” stated Post Commander Bob Marzulli. “Jack is the heart and soul of many of our important activities. The only “no” in Jack’s vocabulary is “no problem.”
As a caring and perceptive individual, Hagan’s lifetime of volunteerism and service are often unsung. He frequently cooks special meals for those in need, purchases toys to donate to various charities at Christmas, delivers wheelchairs to American Legion veterans, and transports Gold Star Mothers to Ocean City’s portion of the annual Run for the Fallen.
Hagan’s charitable contributions to Ocean City were recognized and saluted during the recent sold-out awards dinner held in his honor.
Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian and Ocean City Councilman Bob Barr were present, as were The Book of Golden Deeds Award Committee, including Chairman Ed Price, former Exchange Club Presidents John LaRosa, Herb Godfrey and Bill Culp, along with current members Jim Solarski and Kim Zahan.
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