[EDITOR'S NOTE: We're really pleased to re-visit our first "Worth Celebrating" feature. The article focused on Jim Reed, a Long Island man whose hard work has benefited thousands of people. This past October, Jim served as the 2007 Step Out to Fight Diabetes Walk Chairman. And now, on Sunday, February 3, 2008, he will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Long Island Volunteer Center.

The celebration will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Carlyle on the Green at Bethpage State Park. It's fitting that Jim will be presented with this award on Superbowl Sunday--it's a day that we celebrate champions. Here's why Jim truly is a champion!]

Jim Reed, of Oceanside, New York, is someone you'd meet at a gathering, speak with, and probably describe to other people as a soft-spoken, unassuming, and really nice guy.

After you'd known Jim for a while, however, you'd realize that he's also fun, outgoing, eager to expand his circle of friends, and seems to know everyone on Long Island.

WorthCelebrating

Of course, Jim doesn't know everyone--yet. But thousands of people are living better lives, thanks to his compassion, his hard work, and even his networking.

The devoted single father of three teenage girls, Danielle, 19, and 18-year-old twins Brittany and Stephanie (all shown above in their 2005 family Christmas portrait), Jim serves as deputy commissioner of the Office of Consumer Affairs for Nassau County.

Representing the County, he gives some 300 speeches a year. He teaches consumers how to avoid identity theft and how to prevent being victimized by home improvement scams and other types of consumer fraud.

In his spare time, he works hard to parlay his ever-expanding network of friends into ways to help more than 150 not-for-profit organizations.

From Neighborhoods to the United Nations

Jim has been responsible for obtaining and distributing more than $41 million of in-kind donations to not-for-profit groups in Nassau County, in New York State, throughout the U.S., and across the world.

He sits on the Boards of some groups and advises others. He's been involved in food programs, rescue efforts, early childhood education, literacy programs for youth and adults, and child care support programs, among others.

As a leader of the Kiwanis organization, Jim spearheaded a $75 million venture with UNICEF and a worldwide children's program to address the needs of children under the age of six.

People who act with generosity and compassion are certainly admirable. Those who continuously and successfully encourage others to do the same are truly deserving of recognition.

And so, for our first "Worth Celebrating" feature, Celebrate with Style™ is delighted to acknowledge a really nice guy, Jim Reed.

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