The U.S. President’s Call to Service Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest level of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which is bestowed by the President of the United States to honor individuals and organizations that give more than 4,000 hours helping others through the President’s Council on Service and Civic Presentation.
For the last 47 years since he moved to Branchburg Dick Madden has not stopped helping those who need help from mentoring scouts to tilling gardens to create environmentally friendly garden for senior citizens. A longtime member of the Scouting movement for troop 185, Dick was a scout leader for more than 25 years and served as a scoutmaster 6 years and mentored many eagle scouts.
Dick has also been involved in the Raritan Valley Beekeeping society for more than 6 years. Helping those Bee enthusiasts with beekeeping training and guidance on how to take care of Bees as well as Advisor to the Branchburg Community Garden for the last 9 years. As an environment enthusiast, he has helped to plant 1000 of trees along the South Branch river to prevent erosion along the riverbank.
As a result of Dick’s 47 years of community service, he has helped many Scouts to reach the Eagle Scout ranking, which is the highest rank scouts can earn. Many of his scouts have gone on to become scientists, physicians, educators, CPAs and business owners. He is particularly proud that each of his scouts has continued to be involved in helping the community at large.
Outside Boy Scouts, Dick does an extraordinary amount of volunteer work with his garden club and other organizations. He has received several scouting awards for his dedication and commitment to promoting scouting in the district. He has also received the “Chapel of Four Chaplains Award” for significantly contributing to the community.
Dick received the Lifetime Achievement Award for many years of volunteer service in our community and beyond. In a letter accompanying the award, President Biden wrote, “those who are willing to step up and volunteer in service of community and country are essential to the ongoing work of forming a more perfect union.”
When asked about his motivation to volunteer, Dick said, “I love volunteering, I love helping others.” His passion for serving youth and protecting our environment has earned this US President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, according to Dr. Tulsi Maharjan, President of the Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalition.
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