The late Cecil R. Crum, of Greeneville, was named the 2010 recipient of Food City's Claude P. Varney Volunteer Award.

Crum died Jan. 3, before he could be presented with the honor.

On Jan. 20, Food City President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Smith, above, presented the award in his name to his daughter, Susan Crum Vance, of Greeneville.

The late Cecil R. Crum, of Greene County, who died Jan. 3, has been named posthumously as the 2010 recipient of Food City's Claude P. Varney Volunteer Award.

Food City's retail supermarket chain annually recognizes outstanding volunteerism among their associates via their Claude P. Varney Volunteer Recognition Program.

The creation of the program came in response to President George W. Bush's call to boost volunteer efforts through corporate support.

"As a company, we strive to maintain a high level of dedication to service, quality, value and community involvement, while providing a work environment that enables our associates to grow both personally and professionally as successful members of the team," Smith said in a press release.

"Many of our associates volunteer their time and talents to numerous organizations in support of their communities," he added, "and we felt it needful to formally recognize their selfless contributions."

The program is named in memory of Claude P. Varney, Food City's former president and board vice chairman of 47 years, Claude P. Varney, who was well-known for his outstanding compassion and humanitarian services.

Each year, committees are established to review associate volunteer activities and select individual award recipients based on outstanding achievement in the areas of health, education, environment, cultural arts, recreational, heritage/history and public service.

One winner is selected from each Food City location and corporate level.

The field is then narrowed to eleven district level winners, followed by two divisional winners, and finally the recipient of the highly esteemed Claude P. Varney Humanitarian Award.

"After reviewing his long-time commitment to serving others, it's not hard to see why Greeneville, Tenn., resident Cecil Crum was selected as this year's Claude P. Varney Humanitarian Award recipient," the announcement said.

"Sadly, a few short weeks prior to receiving this award, Mr. Crum passed away. Susan Crum Vance attended the awards presentation and accepted the Claude P. Varney Humanitarian Award on behalf of her beloved late father.

"A $1,250 contribution will be made by Food City to the Crum Family's charity of choice in honor of Mr. Crum's life-long service to his community."

The presentation was made Jan. 20 by Steve Smith, Food City president and CEO.

A three-year associate of Food City, Crum was employed part-time as a Courtesy Clerk at Food City's Asheville Highway location in Greeneville.

He worked with a number of organizations, including Beersheba Masonic Lodge, where he was a member for 51 years, serving as Junior Steward and assisting with fundraising projects to benefit widows and orphans, among others.

He regularly conducted home visits with members of the community who were ill or in need of assistance.

Crum was a 31-year member of the Beersheba Cemetery Association, serving as president, coordinating fundraisers. and assisting with maintenance and the sale and layout of plots.

He was active within his local church, serving as administrator of the church marquee.

A 51-year member of the Marine Corp League's Elbert Kinser Detachment, Crum served as First Vice Commander, assisted with fundraisers to provide scholarships and other community needs, and constructed a replica monument of Iwo Jima at his home to commemorate veterans.

He worked with the Scottish Rite Shoe Fund Drive, providing shoes for needy children and the Shriner's Paper Drive Fundraiser to benefit the Shriner's Pediatric Hospital.

Crum also volunteered at Hal Henard Elementary School and provided free haircuts for residents confined to their homes.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 64 Honor Guard, assisting with military funerals and scholarship fundraising efforts, an organizer for the History and Patriotic Program and participant of the Presents Program for civic clubs and other organizations.

"Cecil was an outstanding associate, extraordinary member of his community and a role model for all generations. His service epitomizes the true essence of this award. "He will be sorely missed," said Smith.

Headquartered in Abingdon, Va., K-VA-T operates 105 retail food outlets throughout the tri-state regions of Southeast Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, including two in Greeneville.