LYNN – Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA) announced that Jason McCuish of Lynn, a local teacher at Lynn Tech and a volunteer at My Brother’s Table, was the recipient of the Second Annual Peter J. Gomes Service Award at a ceremony at Lynn City Hall. The Peter J. Gomes Service Award is given to an individual in the Sixth Congressional District of Massachusetts who best epitomizes the qualities of integrity, compassion, and commitment to community that were the foundation of the late Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes’ teachings.
“Jason exemplifies the teachings of the late Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes – a commitment to service over self,” said Moulton. “As we gather to remember the tragedy of September 11th and reflect on the 
sacrifices made for our country, we must also ask ourselves what we can do in our own lives to give back. Jason is not only being selfless in his acts of service, he is encouraging and inspiring a new generation to be compassionate and service-driven as well. I congratulate Jason and applaud all of the finalists this year for the selfless work they do to make our community and country a better place to live.”
Following the award ceremony, Seth, McCuish, and more than 50 other volunteers participated in service activities including: serving a meal at My Brother’s Table, home renovation with Lynn Housing and Neighborhood Development, fall cleanup at Girls Inc. Lynn, urban gardening with the Lynn Beatification Project, farming at The Food Project Lynn Park, and a cleanup at Lynn Commons.
“Giving back is something we should all do because when we give back, we are the ones who receive the most,” said Jason McCuish. “This is a sentiment my students and I share before we conduct any service project. Service builds core values and empathy, and is a vital component to develop into a well-rounded human being. Service also strengthens connections to others in the community; and, most importantly, service helps one to attain stronger realizations about life, love and humility.”
Other finalists for the award this year included: Jocelyn Cook of Marblehead, Founder of SPUR, Anne Deneen of Gloucester, Reverend for St. Paul Lutheran Church, Brenda Mattos of Beverly, Volunteer who works with the homeless, Mary Margaret Moore of Salem, Former Director of the Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann, Rick Palardy formerly of Georgetown, Fireman and community volunteer, Sandra Suarez of Lynn, Operations Manager at Compass Working Capital, and Rob Werner of Salisbury, Founder of the Leeward Foundation.
