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Papa John’s Managing Partner Donna Tindall, John W Pace, and AFTEA President Marion Walley, CSM (Ret)
On Saturday, March 24, 2018, during a pancake breakfast fundraiser, the Magnolia Chapter of the Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association surprised and honored event planner, Papa John’s Pizza Director of Marketing and Community Outreach, John W Pace with the Honorary rank of Sergeant Major (E-9). The resolution names a number of accomplishments by Pace on behalf of Pine Belt military and veterans, including founding the annual Star Spangled Celebration vintage military show and multiple fundraisers for various veterans causes. The resolution also names Pace’s many efforts on behalf of local law enforcement and other first responders.
In 2014, Pace was awarded the state of Mississippi’s highest honor for volunteer service, the Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence Award for his achievements in fundraising on behalf of various causes. President Obama presented Pace with the Point of Light, The President’s Call to Service Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, for 28 consecutive years of continuous fundraising activities. At the time, Pace had over 44, 000 documented volunteer service hours, having raised over $7 million for over 350 different causes. March 2, 2018, marked his 29th year of continuous fundraising. Pace has been with Papa John’s Pizza of South Mississippi just over one year and they have been nominated for the Papa John’s Corporate Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Pace downplays the focus on the awards he has received over the years, preferring to focus on the causes the work was actually done for. “As the son of a World War II Veteran who was too young to appreciate what a sacrifice that service was, it’s a special blessing to help other veterans now. We’ve kinda adopted each other as family.” he says. “For nearly 30 years I have focused primarily on military/veterans, law enforcement/first responders, and children’s causes. That’s a winning combination as they all represent very loyal groups. Papa John’s has allowed me to take that work to an even higher level.”
For more information on the Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association Magnolia Chapter or the community outreach work of Papa John’s Pizza of South Mississippi, find them on Facebook.
