Moulton Announces Honorees for the Ninth Annual Peter J. Gomes Service Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) has selected six honorees for the 10th annual Peter J. Gomes Service Award. Created in 2016 by Congressman Moulton, the award recognizes the public service and community contributions of constituents across Massachusetts' 6th District.

These six members of our community demonstrate the integrity, compassion, and commitment to community that were characterized by the Congressman's late mentor, Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes.

The late Reverend Professor Gomes was a Christian minister who served for nearly forty years in The Memorial Church of Harvard University. As a preacher, teacher, and leader, he influenced many with his wit and wisdom and, above all, with his commitment to service. Reverend Professor Gomes was Congressman Moulton's mentor and friend, ultimately inspiring him to sign up to serve in the Marines and later to run for Congress. The award honors those who demonstrate a similar level of commitment to service and community.

All six honorees will be recognized at a public ceremony on Wednesday, September 24th at 5;30pm in Salem. The 2025 Peter J. Gomes Service Award winner will be announced by Congressman Moulton at the event. This year's honorees are:

Bill Cremmins - Billerica, MA
Bill is a community and veteran organizer who brings people together through his cooking. As a member of the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office cooking crew, he volunteers to prepare meals for community gatherings, including Memorial Day events, all at no cost. He is also a dedicated grilling volunteer at the Billerica Elks bike run. Bill's work strengthens the bonds among Billerica veterans, neighbors, and surrounding towns through the simple act of sharing a meal.

Bonnie Schultz - Amesbury, MA
Bonnie has led the fight against food insecurity 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, overseeing the preparation and distribution of over 400 meals each week. During the COVID crisis, she expanded the program to include home deliveries to shut-ins-a service that continues today. She manages more than 65 volunteers, has organized multiple successful fundraising events, and spearheaded renovations of St. Paul's kitchen, ensuring the program's continued growth and success.

Tom Gould - Peabody, MA
Tom has dedicated his public service and volunteer efforts to disability advocacy. A seven-term Peabody City Councilor-at-large, Tom has also served on the Northeast Arc board of directors since 2018, supporting programs such as the Breaking Grounds Café and ArcWorks Community Art Center. He founded and runs the free, all-volunteer Challenger Sports program, which gives children and young adults with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities the opportunity to play modified basketball and baseball. To date, he has helped more than 5,000 athletes participate and thrive through sports.

MacKenzie (Kenzie) Whalen-Dunn - Wilmington, MA
Kenzie is an animal rights advocate and founder of Rescue Allies, an organization dedicated to supporting rescues and shelters through education, resources, and intake prevention programs. Within Rescue Allies, she created the Animal Food Pantry Program, which serves families in Wilmington, Burlington, Woburn, Billerica, Tewksbury, Reading, and North Reading. The program helps keep pets in loving homes by providing food and supplies to households facing hardship. With hundreds of homes supported, Kenzie has built an extensive network of community volunteers who ensure families don't have to choose between keeping their pets and meeting basic needs.

Louis Meyi - Salem, MA
Louis has been a racial justice advocate for decades, having lived in Marblehead for over 40 years before moving to Salem. He is a longtime member of the Marblehead Racial Justice Team, where he has championed affordable housing, public transportation, and local history projects. In 2025, he served as emcee of the annual Dr. King Day Breakfast. Louis is active with the NAACP North Shore Branch and serves as MRJT's liaison on METCO and equity issues. He is also a Commissioner of Essex Heritage, a member of St. Stephen's UMC's Ministry Team, and a contributor to historic projects with the Marblehead Museum.

Jane Merrow - Newbury, MA
Jane co-founded the all-volunteer First Parish Newbury Food Pantry in 2015 and has since expanded it into a lifeline for over 750 people weekly across seven communities. She coordinates more than 250 volunteers, oversees food drives, organizes deliveries to 170+ households, and 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 helped launch nine school-based pantries, reaching over 250 students and ensuring families have consistent access to healthy meals.

Award Ceremony Details:

Date:Wednesday, September 24th

Time: 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Location:Saint Joseph's Hall, Second Floor, 160 Derby Street, Salem MA 01970

Press:This event is open to media. Media with questions about the award or the event should respond directly to this email.

Members of the public with questions about the Gomes Award should reach out to [email protected].

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