Goodwill Manasota’s Veterans Services program manager Todd Hughes receives national honor

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
The Seven Seals Award recognizes individual or organizational support for the National Guard and Reserve. From left, Bradenton Administrator Rob Perry; Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown; Todd Hughes of Goodwill's Veterans Services Program; ESGR Florida chair Rita Broadway; Pirates mascot Parrot; Florida ESGR committee member Colleen Trout; and Chad Metcalf of Rapid Response Team.

Todd Hughes, Goodwill Manasota’s Veterans Services manager who served in the National Guard and on active duty in the U.S. Army, was recently recognized with the U.S. Department of Defense Seven Seals Award from the DOD's Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve program.

"The recipients of this award demonstrate dedication and selfless service to enhance the lives of Reserve and National Guard service members and their families," said Rita Broadway, Florida chair for Department of Defense ESGR.

Chad Metcalf of Rapid Response Team and Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown also received Seven Seals Awards. The group was honored before the Pittsburgh Pirates' Feb. 27 spring training game at LECOM Park in Bradenton.

Goodwill’s Veterans Services program launched in 2013 to help veterans reintegrate into families, communities, and jobs. The program, which is staffed by veterans, provides case management and vocational services, networking opportunities, and assistance in navigating social service programs.

Hughes joined the National Guard at age 17 and two years later went on active duty. He was deployed to Iraq in 2004 and was injured when an improvised explosive device detonated. He completed his tour but has since struggled with severe headaches as well as PTSD.

Hughes used his GI Bill benefits to enroll at the University of South Florida, helped launch and became the first administrator of the Veterans Program at USF Sarasota-Manatee, and joined the Veterans Services team at Goodwill Manasota in 2018.

At Goodwill, Hughes – accompanied by his devoted service dog, Ghost – is passionate about helping fellow veterans. In addition, Hughes serves as Senior Vice Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Post 97, is a member of the Vietnam Brotherhood Alpha Company, volunteers with SRQ Vets and 941 Vets, is a peer mentor for the Wounded Warrior Project, and is a member of the advisory committee for Everglades University.For his many contributions, Hughes was honored by the Sarasota County Veterans Commission with the John H. McLain Veteran of the Year Award in 2020.

For more about Goodwill, visit experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.

Submitted by Sharon Kunkel

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Goodwill Veterans Services program manager receives national honor