HYANNIS, MA – On Tuesday, June 28th, 2022, the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center (CIVOC) presented scholarships, and community service awards to five worthy students and 14 invaluable charitable partners from across the region at their annual event held at the JFK Museum.
“Everyone on the CIVOC board looks forward to this annual event, as it gives us the chance to show our appreciation to some very talented students, as well as many generous business and community leaders,” said Jim Seymour, Executive Director. “This exciting night brings all that we do in support of our veteran community into a special focus for the members of our organization.”
Three of the annual scholarships awarded at this event are named for the founders of the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center: Roy Pacheco, Michael Trainor, and Greg Morrison. The fourth scholarship is named for Marine Captain Eric Jones, a Mashpee native and Marine attack helicopter pilot who was tragically killed in a mid-air collision during a combat mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on October 26, 2009. The fifth scholarship is named for Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos, a Yarmouth Port native and graduate of Dennis Yarmouth High School. Corporal Xiarhos, an infantry assault man, was killed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on July 23, 2009, while going to the rescue of his fellow Marines in combat.
The following scholarship recipients were selected from more than 25 applicants, based upon both academic achievements and community involvement:
- The Roy Pacheco Memorial Scholarship: Susan Higgins, Sandwich H.S.
- The Michael Trainor Memorial Scholarship: Nicole Peterson, Monomoy Regional H.S.
- The Greg Morrison Memorial Scholarship: Jessie Dlabaj, Martha’s Vineyard Regional H.S.
- Captain Eric A. Jones, USMC Memorial Scholarship: Michael Carrara, Bourne H.S.
- Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos, USMC Memorial Scholarship: Jeffrey Sousa, Cape Cod C.C.
Additionally, recognition awards were presented to the following:
- Sponsorship Impact Award: The Jack & Kathy Shields Family Foundation
- Sponsorship Impact Award: Frank’s Lower Cape Auto Repair
- Community Partnership Award: Harwich-Dennis Rotary
- Community Partnership Award: The Eastham Elks
- Community Partnership Award: Marieluise Hutchinson and colleagues
- Business Partnership Award: Kevin Pepe, Commercial Realty Advisors
- Business Partnership Award: Dave and Bob Hobaica, Easton Pool and Spa
- Business Partnership Award: Jim Gaherity, CEO, and Coinstar
- Business Partnership Award: Marty’s Chevrolet and General Motors
- Volunteers of the Year: Deborah Kunze and John Janedy
- The President’s Award: Bill Blaisdell, CIVOC Treasurer and US Army Veteran
All scholarship and award recipients also received Certificates of Recognition from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, in appreciation of their talents.
CIVOC is a tax-deductible, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and was founded in 1983 by a group of Vietnam Veterans who did not find the services and programs they needed to successfully transition back to their communities anywhere in our region. Ever since then, we have been an indispensable veteran services provider across the region. Building on the legacy that our founders started nearly four decades ago, we offer multiple comprehensive support services that empower veterans to achieve independence with dignity and respect.
CIVOC advances that mission by building upon strong relationships within the Cape Cod community, and well as a wide range of national and regional grantors. It is the trust we have earned within our region that continues to help us earn broad-based financial support from individual donors and foundations alike. Low administrative and fundraising expenses ensures that CIVOC can direct nearly 91 percent of all donations towards programs that specifically serve veterans.