Courtesy of Ruston Rotary
Ruston Rotary is proud to announce Tom Boniol as the Bill Best Humanitarian Award Winner. He will be honored at the upcoming Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Banquet on February 6, 2025.
Tom’s leadership of VFW Post 3615 and the American Legion have increased the visibility of both organizations. His tireless work with the VFW Flag Program is a true community asset, selflessly caring for the flags, replacing them when frayed, and helping immediately if someone has an issue with their flag. He also ensures there is a dignified way to dispose of the flags, and engages young people across the community to learn about and participate in flag care and retirement.
Tom’s commitment to young people is also seen in his dedication to seeing that students, parents, teachers and other leaders have the opportunity to engage in patriotic programming including scholarship competitions and events.
Tom consistently seeks to honor others through this work. He dedicates tremendous energy to honoring public servants such as educators and first responders. He recognizes Gold Star Mothers, and regularly visits veterans in nursing homes and hospitals. He installs flags and medals at gravesites, has provided the honor guard for funerals as well as area conventions, and ensures fellow veterans are celebrated and recognized. After the VFW post’s building was condemned, Tom led the charge to ensure a new post was built to ensure veterans would not be displaced. He worked non-stop for months to see that the post was able to raise the money needed to complete the agreement with the city for a new building.
When the local American Legion post was in danger of folding, Tom stepped up to serve as Commander once his VFW tenure was complete. Through the American Legion, there are now scholarships presented to university students, Dixie ball team sponsorships, floats in parades, a display at Lincoln Lights Up the Pines, and more. Tom’s direction includes ambitious plans that serve our community and our veterans well.
Tom’s roles with the VFW and American Legion only tell part of his story. He also serves at Temple Baptist Church on the Church Security Team and the Golf Cart Ministry, and helps with the benevolence and bereavement ministry in his Sunday School class. He has served on international mission trips and used his talents as a professional driver for group functions. Tom volunteers with Rolling Hills Disaster Relief as a member of both the chainsaw and feeding teams, most recently volunteering for an extended stay in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Regarding his volunteerism Boniol stated “Growing up, I never lived anywhere longer than three years because my father was in the military. So getting the chance to put down roots has opened the door for my volunteerism. I’ve found my home. I’ve found my people. I’ve found my path of volunteerism. And it’s all never felt so good. The pride I feel in where I live and what I do is better than any other place I’ve been in my almost 73 years of living.”
The Bill Best Humanitarian Award recognizes a local citizen for outstanding contributions to humanitarian interests, unselfish giving, and service to others in times of need. The award is named after Ruston Rotarian William V. “Bill” Best, a local businessman and civic leader who lived the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”
