Move over Clint Eastwood and William Shatner, there is another ‘nonagenarian’ hero in the USA, and this one isn’t acting. What’s more, John resides in Highland, Indiana!
John “Jack” Halton is a youthful 92-year-old volunteer for Catholic Charities Food Pantry and Hunger Relief Services based in East Chicago, Indiana and has been named ‘Volunteer of the Year’ by Catholic Charities USA headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. With more than 200,000 volunteers serving Catholic Charities agencies nationwide, being chosen as the one and only ‘Volunteer of the Year’ is a phenomenal achievement.
As a dedicated, long-time volunteer, a few of John’s regular duties are to assist with unloading trucks of food, stocking shelves, and to sort and pack bags of groceries to be given to feed struggling families, seniors, veterans and the disabled. All-in-all, John and his volunteer colleagues served 25,900 individuals in 2023, with 2024 shaping up to serve almost three times that many!
A member of Our Lady of Grace Church in Highland, Indiana, John Halton has been serving clients of Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary for five years. Besides his aforementioned ‘regular duties,’ John has built 13 raised garden beds for veterans and low-income elderly, as well as planting 225 container gardens and distributing them during Catholic Charities regularly scheduled food distribution events.
“John treats everyone with respect and compassion, regardless of their age or station in life,” said Food Pantry Manager Tina Gunnum, who shared that Halton also has become a mentor and role model to her. “There is something almost magical about being in John’s presence. His gentle laughter could chase away the darkest of clouds, and his words of encouragement could lift the heaviest of hearts. He has an uncanny ability to see the best in people and to bring out the best in them as well,” Gunnum said.
“What began as something to keep me and my son, David, occupied for a few days during the week has evolved into so much more: great friends, new experiences, a blessing like no other!” Halton said. “To receive this honor from Catholic Charities USA is the cherry on top. I’m humbled for doing what I love,” said John.
The CCUSA Volunteer of the Year Award has been presented annually since 1998 and is granted to an individual who embodies the mission of CCUSA to provide critical services to those in need, advocate for justice in social structures and call the entire Church and other people of good will to do the same. Each year, more than 200,000 people volunteer at
Catholic Charities agencies around the country. The agencies nominate their most exemplary volunteers for this honor. Only one earns the title, ‘Volunteer of the Year!’ CCUSA will formally present the award to John Halton at its 2024 Annual Gathering in Oklahoma City later this year.
“With his unyielding dedication to his neighbors in need, John Halton serves as a shining example of our faith at its very best,” said CCUSA President and CEO Kerry Alys Robinson. “We are so grateful for John’s inspiring service, and we look forward to honoring and celebrating him in Oklahoma City in front of hundreds of Catholic Charities staff members and volunteers from around the nation!” Robinson said.
John (Jack) Halton will also be recognized at Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary’s Annual Golf Outing on June 10, 2024 at Innsbrook Country Club in Merrillville, Indiana.
In addition to its Food Pantry and Hunger Relief Services, Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary provides many other services to individuals and families in need The nonprofit provides its services at no cost and without discrimination to residents of Indiana’s Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Starke Counties.
