Michigan Man Wins National Award From Waste Management for His Volunteer Work

DETROIT, March 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomas Kuderik of Romulus, who previously won the Volunteer of the Year award from Waste Management of Michigan/Ohio, has now been awarded the top honor in the country -- Waste Management Volunteer of the Year among more than 44,000 employees nationwide.

Kuderik -- who is also an active Rotarian involved in service projects regionally and, beginning later this year, globally -- has been a leader with the Boy Scouts for 24 years. He has led fundraisers and environmental projects such as creating recycling drop-off centers and roadside clean-up projects. Kuderik volunteered more than 1,100 hours for the Boy Scouts in 2011 alone, and he has exceeded 1,000 volunteer hours each year for the last 15 years.

"Tom Kuderik's commitment to his local community exemplifies the values of Waste Management," said Beth Schmucker, Senior Community Relations Manager for Waste Management. "Tom contributes so much to his community because he believes we need to leave this world in better shape for the children, who are our future. Through his work with the Boy Scouts, Tom is a teacher of life –- he is always there making sure the boys learn valuable life skills that will guide them in their own lives."

Kuderik received this national award in Houston, Texas during a special ceremony, and Waste Management contributed $5,000 to Kuderik's charity of choice.

Beyond the countless hours he puts into working with the Boy Scouts, Kuderik is very active with the Romulus Rotary and performs numerous service projects. The most daunting and sobering event Kuderik said he has participated in with the Romulus Rotary came last Memorial Day weekend, when he and five others went to the aid of the residents in Joplin, Missouri, after the devastating tornado. Tom unselfishly offered his support and time by jumping in headfirst and with both feet.

Kuderik's goals in volunteerism are growing just as the need for more volunteers is growing. In 2012, Tom is taking his efforts to the global community. Kuderik has a planned trip to Haiti in August, when he and a minister from the Romulus Rotary Club will travel more than 1,700 miles to install water filters for the residents.

Waste Management is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management and environmental services. Waste Management makes it its business to Think Green®, positioning the organization to deliver lasting solutions to the environmental challenges our planet will face in the 21st century. For more information on Waste Management, go to wm.com or thinkgreenfromhome.com.

SOURCE Waste Management