Founder’s District Toastmasters Announces Robert Frackelton as its 2024 Communication and Leadership Award Recipient
San Clemente, California — [March 17, 2024] – Founder’s District Toastmasters announces Robert Frackelton as the recipient of its 2024 Communication and Leadership (C&L) Award at the annual conference in recognition of his exemplary leadership, dedication to service, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. The annual conference is a Derby-inspired event themed “Run for the Roses” and will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Center for Spiritual Living from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm PT, offering both in-person and online participation options.
Frackelton’s journey of service and dedication to his community is both inspiring and commendable. Nearly two decades ago, Robert initiated a heartwarming Thanksgiving tradition that has grown exponentially over the years. Moved by the plight of young Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton during the holidays, Robert and his family decided to open their homes and hearts to these servicemen.
What began as a simple act of kindness has evolved into the Villa Park Marine Thanksgiving program, an annual event where over 100 Marines are adopted by local families for Thanksgiving festivities. Frackelton’s leadership and organizational skills have been instrumental in expanding the program, recruiting dozens of host families, coordinating transportation, and ensuring that every Marine feels welcomed and appreciated.
Beyond his Thanksgiving initiative, Frackelton’s commitment to service is evident in his extensive volunteer work. From leading the Villa Park Marines Thanksgiving program to serving as President of the Rotary Club of Villa Park, he has made a lasting impact on his community. His involvement in various organizations, including Meals on Wheels, the Villa Park Community Services Foundation, and the Pico Rivera Chamber of Commerce, reflects his dedication to improving the lives of others.
Professionally, Frackelton has achieved remarkable success as the owner of Reeve Store Equipment Co., a leading manufacturer of store fixtures. With nearly 30 years of experience in the industry, his leadership has been instrumental in the company’s growth and success.
In addition to his professional accomplishments and community service, Frackelton has been recognized with several awards, including Pico Rivera’s Man of the Year and Villa Park’s Distinguished Citizen of the Month. However, he considers his most significant achievement to be the title of “Dad” bestowed upon him by his children.
The Founder’s District Toastmasters Annual Conference will deliver an enriching experience for attendees, featuring the 2024 Communication and Leadership Award, Olympian Mary Osborne Andrews’ keynote address, Retired Lt. Col Oakland McCulloch’s keynote address, the District International Speech and Evaluation contests, and opportunities for networking.
For more information about the Founder’s District Toastmasters Annual Conference, please visit https://www.foundersdistrict.org/district-conference/
About Founder’s District Toastmasters
Toastmasters International (TI) is a nonprofit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of helping members improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills. Founder’s District is the original district located in Southern California serving clubs in Orange County since 1944. For more information on Toastmasters, please visit https://www.foundersdistrict.org/.