6 Honorees Recognized for 2025 Moulton's Gomes Service Award

Honoring Community Champions: 2025 Peter J. Gomes Service Award Recipients

Each year, the Peter J. Gomes Service Award celebrates individuals who exemplify the values of integrity, compassion, and community service. This year, six remarkable residents from Massachusetts' 6th District will be honored at the 10th annual event. The award, established by U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton in 2016, is a tribute to his late mentor, Peter J. Gomes, a respected minister and advocate for public service.

Moulton has often spoken about how Gomes influenced his life, encouraging him to join the U.S. Marines and later pursue a career in Congress. The honorees this year reflect the same spirit of dedication and selflessness that Gomes embodied.

Meet This Year’s Honorees

Bill Cremmins – Billerica, MA

Bill Cremmins is a passionate community organizer and veteran who uses his love for cooking to bring people together. As part of the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office cooking crew, he volunteers to prepare meals for various community events, including Memorial Day gatherings, all without charge. He also supports the Billerica Elks bike run as a grilling volunteer. His efforts strengthen connections among veterans, neighbors, and surrounding towns through the simple act of sharing a meal.

Bonnie Schultz – Amesbury, MA

Bonnie Schultz has been a tireless advocate for food security in the Merrimac Valley for nearly three decades. For 27 years, she has served as the volunteer Executive Director of the Among Friends Meal Program at St. Paul's Church in Newburyport, managing the preparation and distribution of over 400 meals weekly. During the pandemic, she expanded the program to include home deliveries to those unable to leave their homes. She oversees more than 65 volunteers and has organized numerous fundraising events and kitchen renovations to ensure the program's continued success.

Tom Gould – Peabody, MA

Tom Gould has dedicated his life to disability advocacy. As a seven-term Peabody City Councilor-at-large, he has worked on the Northeast Arc board of directors since 2018, supporting programs like the Breaking Grounds Café and ArcWorks Community Art Center. He founded the Challenger Sports program, which provides modified basketball and baseball opportunities for children and young adults with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. To date, he has helped over 5,000 athletes participate and thrive through sports.

MacKenzie Whalen-Dunn – Wilmington, MA

MacKenzie Whalen-Dunn is an animal rights advocate and founder of Rescue Allies, an organization focused on supporting rescues and shelters through education and resources. She created the Animal Food Pantry Program, which serves families in several communities, helping keep pets in loving homes by providing food and supplies during times of hardship. Her work has supported hundreds of households, and she has built a strong network of volunteers to ensure families don’t have to choose between their pets and basic needs.

Louis Meyi – Salem, MA

Louis Meyi has been a long-time advocate for racial justice, living in Marblehead for over 40 years before moving to Salem. He has been actively involved with the Marblehead Racial Justice Team, championing affordable housing, public transportation, and local history projects. In 2025, he served as emcee for the annual Dr. King Day Breakfast. He is also active with the NAACP North Shore Branch and serves as a liaison on METCO and equity issues. Additionally, he contributes to historic projects with the Marblehead Museum and is a member of St. Stephen’s UMC’s Ministry Team.

Jane Merrow – Newbury, MA

Jane Merrow co-founded the First Parish Newbury Food Pantry in 2015, transforming it into a vital resource for over 750 people weekly across seven communities. She coordinates more than 250 volunteers, oversees food drives, and organizes deliveries to over 170 households. She partners with local businesses, schools, and farms to recover food and distribute fresh produce. In 2024 alone, the pantry rescued over 16,000 pounds of food. Jane also played a key role in launching nine school-based pantries, reaching over 250 students and ensuring consistent access to healthy meals.

These individuals are true pillars of their communities, each making a significant impact through their dedication and compassion. Their stories inspire others to give back and make a difference in their own ways.