John Shwiner of Wellington was one of more than a dozen Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Foundation volunteers who recently received the 2019 President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA), which honors those whose service positively impacts their communities and inspires those around them to do the same.
This program allows certifying organizations, which are granted the authority to give out these awards, to recognize their extraordinary volunteers.
The 2019 FCS Foundation volunteers completed a total of 5,149 hours at the Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) clinics and foundation office, earning each individual either a gold or silver award.
Anne Byron (FCS Fort Myers Cancer Center), Sherry Lindgren (FCS Foundation office) and John Shwiner (FCS Wellington North) individually volunteered more than 500 hours of service during the year, earning them the gold award level.
Shwiner has been a patient support volunteer (PSV) for the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation in Wellington for five years and also became the volunteer group lead, joining the board of the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation in 2018.
He retired from Chevron as a retail business consultant after 43 years of employment and served as president of Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County for 20 years. Shwiner is a member of the American Legion Post in Wellington as public relations officer and adjutant. He is also a volunteer for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Community Advisory Group as group lead and teaches high school seniors personal finance for Junior Achievement. He is also team captain for his local neighborhood watch group.
Shwiner is a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Founded in 2003 by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, the PVSA recognizes the role of volunteers in America’s strength and identity.
“We are thrilled to have so many dedicated and supportive volunteers,” FCS Foundation Board Chairman Dr. Michael Diaz said. “Whether assisting patients in the clinics or aiding applicants with processing grant applications by phone, they each have made an enormous positive impact for patients and their communities.”
FCS Foundation Executive Director Lynn Rasys agreed.
“We are grateful for the commitment and hard work these individuals have provided to the FCS Foundation and cancer clinics,” Rasys said. “Congratulations to this special group of volunteers.”