Farmington Area Volunteer of the Year Enjoys Inspiring Others

From teaching youngsters the importance of community service to raising produce for a local food pantry, Tom Neal devotes countless hours to volunteering in the Farmington area and beyond. 

A resident of Farmington Hills since 1986, Neal's commitment to community earned him this year's George Romney Volunteer of the Year award, presented by the City of Farmington Hills Commission on Children, Youth and Families. Among other groups, he volunteers with the Farmington/Farmington Hills Optimist Club, First Presbyterian Church of Farmington, the Presbytery of Detroit, Rebuilding Together Oakland and the Detroit Institute of Arts. 

Neal likes to get things started, lighting a fire in others and then watching how the positive energy spreads. Through the church, he founded an adult mission group and started a project that involves volunteers growing vegetables that are donated to The Servant Church of Saint Alexander's food pantry. 

"We built some raised gardens," Neal said. "Now, other churches have started doing that." 

In the early morning hours, you may find Neal running with the Farmington YMCA Sunrise Runners and Tri club, whose members don't just run together, they also provide support for events like the Cipriano Classic 5K fund-raising run/walk. 

Volunteerism seems like second nature for Neal, who got his start by joining service clubs and being active in church. "Helping people is what it's all about," he said. "Part of what we all should be doing is helping each other. It makes for a better community and a better world."