Justice honored with DAR award
John Justice of Bella Vista has been awarded the Community Service Award by the Lovely Purchase Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution of Bella Vista.
Justice has been a resident of Bella Vista since 2004 when he moved here with his wife and DAR member, Jean. He has volunteered at the AARP Recycling Project for more than 12 years. Proceeds from selling the recycled materials are divided among the volunteers to be given to the nonprofit organizations of their choice. To date, Justice has raised more than $25,000 for the Military Officers Association and at least $15,000 for the Methodist Men’s Club.
A two-tour Vietnam War veteran, Justice was the principal speaker at the first Lovely Purchase Chapter Commemorative Vietnam War Event in October 2015. He currently serves on the Bella Vista Cemetery Board and is known as the “handyman” of First United Methodist Church in Bella Vista.
He is, perhaps, best known for his project to clean and sell used golf balls, donating the proceeds to Habitat For Humanity Benton County Inc. Justice sells the balls for $5 a dozen and has raised thousands of dollars for the Habitat project over the years.
The Community Service Award Committee was established by DAR’s National Board of Management in April 1995 as an opportunity for chapters and states to recognize worthy individuals and organizations for outstanding voluntary achievements in cultural, educational, humanitarian or patriotic endeavors. A chapter may present two awards per year.