Niceville couple win Spirit of Freedom award

For years, Bob and Nancy Garcia have delivered hot meals, new toys and vital supplies around needy neighborhoods in Niceville.

They've also volunteered on everything from education efforts to running a thrift shop at Eglin Air Force Base.

The couple never have sought publicity for their efforts, but their work has not gone unnoticed.

They have been selected as winners of the Spirit of Freedom Award.

The award is presented annually to Northwest Florida residents who exemplify Freedom Communications' core values of respect for individual freedom, self responsibility, integrity, community and lifelong learning.

"It's rare, I think, when you see a husband and wife who are that committed to improving their community," said retired Army Brig. Gen. Curtis Hoglan, the Garcias' neighbor. Hoglan nominated the Garcias for the award.

"I swear to God I'm happier than if I'd won it myself," Hoglan said.

Bob Garcia, a retired Marine Corps colonel with 28 years of active-duty service, and his wife Nancy are the first-ever co-winners of the honor, now in its fifth year.

The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary this year. They were very surprised to be honored.

"I just wanted to give back to the community," Bob said simply as he sat with Nancy in their home in Bluewater Bay after hearing the news.

Freedom Communications is the parent company of 10 newspapers in Northwest Florida. They are the Northwest Florida Daily News, the Panama City News Herald, the Destin Log, Walton Sun, Santa Rosa Press-Gazette, Crestview News-Bulletin, Holmes County Advertiser, Washington County News, Port St. Joe Star News, and Apalachicola Times.

The Garcias were honored on the west end of Freedom's coverage area. On the east end, the winner is O.L. "Ole" Ellis, a longtime business and community leader in Washington County.

The Garcias and Ellis will receive a $1,000 check to donate to the charity of their choice.

The judges were five editors of Freedom's newspapers.

"The Garcias and Mr. Ellis epitomize Freedom's core values," said Daily News Editor Pat Rice. "It's gratifying, and a little humbling, to see the breadth of their service to their communities. They set a great example for the rest of us."

In his retirement, Bob Garcia has taken up teaching for Northwest Florida State College's Institute of Senior Professionals, where he prepares adults to use computers, often to land new jobs.

A Vietnam veteran, he also serves on the local chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, the board of directors of the Northwest Florida Symphony Guild and the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber member Tom Kerr, a former Marine himself, was stationed with Bob at Cherry Point, N.C., in 1963.

"He's just been a great person to know ... and both of us being former Marines, we have that special bond," Kerr said.
Hoglan put his Army roots aside in praising Bob.

"That's even more amazing (than the award)," Hoglan joked. "An Army guy saying nice things about a Marine."

For the past 12 years, Nancy Garcia has volunteered at the thrift shop on Eglin Air Force Base, which helps servicemen and women find household goods.

"I can't keep up with her. I'm a mere mortal," said Karen Peterson, another volunteer who has known the Garcias since Nancy walked into the store 10 years ago.

As for Bob, "He is the givingest man I think I've ever met in my life."

Each year, Nancy helps put on a charity fashion show for the Twin Cities Women's Club and raises funds for Relay for Life. She also works at the polls during elections.

She's also pushed her entire Curves exercise class to donate food for the needy.

The Garcias also have worked hard to develop a business plan for Children in Crisis, which provides shelter and foster care for youths.
But their hands-on charity work is perhaps their most gratifying.

They have active roles in the First United Methodist Church's "Supper on Saturday" program, which serves 700 meals a week in Niceville and Valparaiso. Once a month, Bob and Nancy bring along toys and diapers for needy families.

"When someone opens their door and you give them diapers and they're kissing you - which is what happened last time with Bob - it's just ..." Nancy said of a recent trip to a cash-strapped home.

"I said, ‘Is this the right size diaper?' And she (the mother) says, ‘I don't care what size it is, just so it can cover my baby's booty.' "

The Garcias plan to donate the $1,000 award to the Marine Corps League scholarship fund. They will accept the award knowing that others work hard for the same causes, too.

"There are probably a lot of people around that fit the bill more for what you're looking for," Bob said. "We're just doing our part."

The Garcias will be presented the Spirit of Freedom Award at the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce breakfast Dec. 10.

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SPIRIT OF FREEDOM AWARD NOMINEES

A dozen people were nominated this year for the Freedom Communications Spirit of Freedom Award.

The winners are: Bob and Nancy Garcia of Niceville; and O.L. "Ole Ellis" of Washington County.

The other nominees were:
Mark Welton of Crestview;
Marietta Birdsell of Crestview;
Ida Faye Powell of Crestview;
Foy Shaw of Crestview;
Crawford W. "Bear" Henley of Fort Walton Beach;
Jeff Bridgman of Fort Walton Beach;
Dr. Lynne Reynolds of Niceville;
Nancy Grigsby of Niceville;
Larry Keefe of Shalimar;
Gabby Bruce of Destin.