Boston, MA (December 1, 2014) – The Salvation Army will honor the life and career of the late Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino at its Annual Luncheon on Thursday, December 4.
Menino will be posthumously honored with the prestigious Others Award during the Annual Luncheon, celebrating the work of The Salvation Army’s twelve Greater Boston centers. The Others Award, given to individuals who exemplify extraordinary service to others, will be presented in Menino’s honor for his dedication to Salvation Army campaigns over five terms leading Boston.
As mayor of Boston, Menino was a leading force in the success of the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Dorchester, which opened in 2011 and serves thousands of low-income families. Under Mayor Menino, the Salvation Army and the City of Boston worked together to create the annual Back-to-School Celebration, where 3,500 children received backpacks and school supplies, helping them return to class equipped and confident.
“Throughout his life, Mayor Thomas Menino was a visible representation of dedication and compassion through exceptional service benefiting the community,” said Major Ivan Rock, General Secretary of the Salvation Army in Massachusetts. “Mayor Menino was a champion for helping our city’s most underserved neighborhoods and we are proud to honor him with our most prestigious award for service.”
At the annual Salvation Army luncheon, the Army recognizes community members who have dedicated their lives to service and celebrates the work of the Salvation Army’s twelve Greater Boston centers. These centers provide day care, after-school and character-building programs for K-12 students, food, and other emergency assistance for vulnerable neighbors.
Veteran TV news anchor Maria Stephanos will be among the local community members who will honor Mayor Menino and serve as Special Emcee for the luncheon. Stephanos, a Massachusetts native, anchors the Fox 25 News evening lineup.
Local organizations will also be honored at the luncheon for their charitable contributions to the Salvation Army. The Paper Store and their loyal customers have donated over $40,000 to community members in need through their annual Gift of Giving event. In addition, the Boston Bruins Foundation has been a strong supporter of the annual Red Kettle Campaign and has been a key partner and sponsor of the annual Back-to-School Celebration.
The event will be located at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers and will begin at 12 p.m. For more information, visit the Salvation Army Massachusetts Division website at: salvationarmy.org/MA/AnnualLuncheon