VERO BEACH — Exchange Club of Indian River presented its most prestigious award, the Book of Golden Deeds, to Milt Thomas. Barb Parent, chair of the club’s Golden Deeds committee, surprised Thomas with the award at the Club’s luncheon meeting at Culinary Capers on May 11.
The Book of Golden Deeds award, a National Exchange Club program since 1919, honors the quiet, good deeds of America’s unsung heroes, exceptional individuals who provide exemplary volunteer service to the community at large.
The Club honored Thomas for his many years of service to Indian River County. Born in New York City, he moved to Vero Beach in 1956 and graduated from Vero Beach High School and Florida State University. He has been volunteering since returning to Vero Beach in 1987 after working in the music business for more than twenty years. He is a free-lance writer and photographer.
Thomas has chaired the Hibiscus Festival since 2004 and served as president or chair of the Chamber of Commerce Tourist Council, Junior Achievement of Indian River County, Kiwanis Club of Vero-Treasure Coast, Main Street Vero Beach, and the Public Library Advisory Board. He has also volunteered with Enterprise Zone Development Agency, Florida Bar Grievance Committee for the 19th Judicial Circuit, Friends of the Library, Vero Beach Police Retirement Trust Fund, and the former Center for the Arts.
A popular lecturer on Ancient Egypt, the Middle East, and other topics, he volunteered as an economics teacher at VBHS for eighteen years and as a judge for the County Science Fair; he was named the 1998 Volunteer of the Year by Indian River County Schools. He enjoys traveling, photography, music, writing, and spending time with his family.
For additional information call Andrew Molloy at 772-473-4416 or visit www.exchangeclubofindianriver.org or www.bluewateropen.org.