Port Charlotte volunteer to receive award from President Trump
A Port Charlotte woman is getting recognition from President Donald Trump for her service to an organization that helps thousands of wounded veterans and others find meaningful employment. Fran Nixon, Florida Missions Operations Manager (MOM) for Project: Return To Work Inc. (R2W), will receive the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award in a ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 7.
“Veterans hurt in combat gave up so much for our freedom,” said R2W CEO Rob Brazell, Nixon’s son. “My mother is committed to making sure those who sacrificed for America have the tools they need to succeed in civilian life.”
Media are invited to attend the private event that starts at 12:30 p.m. at the Boca Royale Golf and Country Club on 1565 Englewood Road in Englewood. The ceremony is sponsored by Jordi Tejero, owner of Cape Coral-based CRS Technology Consultants.
As part of the award, Nixon will receive a Presidential medal, pin, coin, personalized certificate and a congratulatory letter from the president. Nixon has volunteered more than 10,000 hours for R2W, which helps thousands of disabled Americans get back to work and back to their lives.
Her involvement with R2W dates to its formation in 1998. She leads R2W’s long-term contract with Florida’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, providing services to the severely disabled. She also coordinates volunteers and coaches student interns.
R2W operates an internship program for high school and college students that teaches STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills, as well as service learning internships for injured soldiers, part of the organization’s multifaceted process to help clients explore the jobs they enjoy doing most.
The organization receives support from StaffCV, which provides training opportunities and technical support for R2W’s employment database and personality assessment tool. Many other organizations donate resources to R2W, including the Charlotte County Justice Center, which provides free office space.
As R2W marks its 20th anniversary, its long-term goal is to empower clients to run the organization themselves through the “A Job for Life” initiative, which will be highlighted at the lifetime achievement award ceremony. “A Job for Life” seeks to put more than two dozen veterans and their families in charge of R2W satellite offices throughout the country. To find out more, call 720-359-1541.
