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Lawrenceville Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association

HomeJohn Merrill Award
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John Merrill is a founding member and past President of the Lawrenceville Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. In appreciation of his dedication and hard work in the LCPAAA and dedication to the community, a Memorial Recognition Award has been created in his name. This award is presented yearly to deserving individuals who have shown leadership in our community and compassion for those in need.


2025 John Merrill Community Service Award Winner

 


Gwinnett County Veterans Museum

Gwinnett County Veterans Memorial Museum


The museum operates under the auspices of American Legion Post 232 and has approximately a dozen volunteers who generously donate their time and energy to assemble and maintain displays, give talks, and conduct individual or group tours.


Mission


EDUCATE

Founded in 2005 as a non-profit organization, our museum is dedicated to enlightening visitors about the sacrifices made by countless American sailors, soldiers, airmen, and Marines in defending our nation's freedoms.


HONOR

In this way, we pay tribute to all who served; we honor their legacy by remembering. We rely entirely on the generous support of visitors, local businesses, and private foundations to help us acquire and preserve the numerous historical artifacts and memorabilia showcased throughout the museum.



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To be considered for the John Merrill award a candidate must meet these requirements.


Persons being nominated for this award will have consistently demonstrated qualities of compassion, and service to either one organization or a variety of volunteer activities in one year. The charitable activities / events or service listed on the application cannot be part of the nominee's job description or duties and the individual cannot receive any monetary or personal benefits from their involvement.

  1. Criteria and Nomination Guidelines
    The nomination must demonstrate the nominees ongoing community service,
    which incorporates the below characteristics. Please describe how the nominee has
    met each of the below characteristics that are required to be a leader within the
    community:
    1. Leadership: An individual who makes significant contributions to building a sense of unity and purpose in his or her community. The nominee should have a demonstrated ability to build stronger communities through promotion of personal growth and development.
    2. Social Responsibility: An individual who assists others in improving their communities through volunteer programs, social groups, outreach centers,sports programs or after school groups. The nominee should have contributed to least one community program or initiative with measurable results of how they impacted participants of that community program or initiative.
    3. Mentorship: An individual who demonstrates positive values and behaviors that influence others to emulate or aspire to emulate. The nominee should have examples of instances during which they have mentored community members in a positive way.
    4. Change Agent: An individual who influences or stimulates others to effect positive changes through personal development or self improvement. The nominee should have demonstrated their role as a change agent.

     

     

    John Merrill Award Nomination Form



Past John Merrill Award Winners

 




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2024 Award Winner

Brandon Watts

Operation Rallypoint



I am Brandon Watts, Founder, CEO and President of Operation Rallypoint. I’m a Combat Infantryman and Noncommissioned Officer with two combat tours in Iraq. I served in the Invasion with 2-7 Infantry 3ID in 2003 and again as a Combat Advisor (MiTT) on the MNSTC-I staff in 2008. I have an Associate’s Degree in Political Science/History from Georgia State University and a Bachelor’s degree in History of Western Civilization from Georgia Gwinnett College. I’m a Husband and a father. My wife is from Thailand and we visit her family when we can. I founded Operation Rallypoint on the streets of Atlanta in October 2015. Fellow veterans and Cofounder’s Johnny Grimes and Beth Mason Briele (RIP May 2019), along with myself spent one hundred nights on the streets of Atlanta with the homeless population looking for veterans in need. We shared our story online and received personal donations. Waffle House gave us a grant and Kats naturals gave us a sponsorship. From there we’ve grown to 7 volunteers and $240,000 monetary budget. We’ve assisted approximately 8,000 veterans over 8 years of operation. We received our 501(c)3 in January 2017. We provide triage and immediate lodging for veterans in crisis. We are on the VA Crisis Line. We have hotel rates ranging from $38 to $60 a night with our partnering hotels. We have 8 Duplex apartments with 11 veterans, 25 people in them (families included). We’ve also given 25+ vehicles to veterans in need and provided a roof, garage door, and remodel to a veteran in need’s home. We have a documentary film from our early days on YouTube, a second one in production, and we’ve videoed the car giveaways and house repairs and are available on our Facebook page. Our oath has no expiration date. I’m humbled and deeply thankful for the opportunity to continue to support and assist our comrades. A demographic of success is a goal all of us veterans should desire.

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2023 Award Winner

Hank Reid

Lettum Eat


Testimonials:

...Great organization helping feed the most vulnerable in our midst. Hank is a good man.....


...I love hank, his food, and his heart for people. He uses his skills as a chef to bless so many people: adults, students, families, homeless! Can’t wait to see what God does through his vision!...


...Awesome Ministry. Helping people who are challenged to help themselves is a worthy cause everyone should be a part of. #LETTUMEAT Chef Hank....

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2022 Award Winner

Ryan Cox

Gwinnett Chatt Outreach



Ryan Cox is the Founder of Gwinnett Chatt Outreach. He was born and raised in Chattanooga Tennessee, hence the “Chatt” in the name of the organization. He tries to hold on to his Tennessee roots here and there. In moving to Georgia years ago, and living in Gwinnett County for over 10 years; Ryan has grown a passion for Gwinnett County and its residents.

As a resident of the county, Ryan began to notice a social justice gap within the communities of Gwinnett. Ryan is not one to play the blame game, he took action by volunteering, continuing to vote, attending local government meetings, and launching Gwinnett Chatt Outreach. He is continuously looking for creative ways to make a difference in his community, and bridge the social injustice gap.

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As the founder of Gwinnett Chatt Outreach, Ryan’s goal is to help Gwinnett communities be healthy, well cared for, informed, and thriving. Ryan partners with community leaders, businesses, and the community itself; to develop and conduct public service programs. Ryan’s shared passion for Gwinnett County and the well-being of all its residents, is an extension of who Ryan is at his core.


Gwinnett Chatt Outreach is now a part of GA Gives.