By Doug Otto
The Exchange Club of Ocean City has chosen local community volunteer Jack Hagan as the recipient of the 54th Annual Golden Deeds Award.
The honor was formally presented during a dinner held at Clancy’s By The Bay Restaurant on June 10.
Each year since 1966, the Ocean City Exchange Club has chosen a worthy Cape May County or Atlantic County person 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.
Video courtesy Martin Fiedler, Just Right TV Productions LLC
“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 lifelong 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.
He is an active and engaged member of the Ocean City Exchange Club, and he is the 12th member to receive The Book of Golden Deeds Award.
At the American Legion, Hagan is Post Adjutant, chairman of the annual New Jersey Run for the Fallen, Post Coordinator with state and national American 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 American Legion Post 524 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,” American Legion Post 524 Commander Bob Marzulli said. “Jack is the heart and soul of many of our important activities.”
As a caring and perceptive individual, Hagan’s lifetime of volunteerism and service are often unsung, officials said. 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.
