ADAMS, Mass. — Tom Robinson of Adams is the 2012 recipient of The Margery and William Barrett Public Service Award for Adams, Cheshire and Savoy. Robinson will receive $500 to designate to the nonprofit of his choice, in his name.
Robinson was chosen because of his work in the community and his leadership, perseverance and innovation.
He received his associates degree in hospitality from Berkshire Community College and shares his culinary experience with his community. He has volunteered his expertise, time and knowledge for the Meals Ministry Program at the Parish of Blessed John Paul, which provides a hot meal once a month to those who can no longer manage a home-cooked meal for themselves. He was on the planning committee for the Youth Center, and has been an active member of the Conservation Committee.
"For Tom Robinson, it is all about neighbor helping neighbor," said Laurence Clairmont, who has volunteered with Robinson for the past 15 years at the Pope John Paul Charity Center and the Sunday Meal Program for shut-ins. "The number of lives that have been positively impacted by Tom's generosity and compassion are in the thousands. It is my belief that Tom Robinson’s volunteer efforts are aptly described through the voice of the Dalai Lama, 'Love and compassion are necessities not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.'"
This award commemorates the extraordinary generosity of Margery Barrett, who gave more than $3 million during and after her lifetime to benefit the communities of Adams, Cheshire and Savoy. The Barrett award is given annually to an individual who has shown their generous spirit and strong commitment to those communities through their paid or volunteer work by breaking new ground or improving the economic, educational, civic, cultural or social fabric of the community. The fund is managed by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation of Sheffield.
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