The Kroger Company’s central division, headquartered in Indianapolis, announced 16 community service award winners, selected from among 136 nominees. Richard McCleary, a pharmacy technician at the Owen’s store located on East Center Street, Warsaw, was selected from those 16 finalists as the overall central division community service award winner.

McCleary will receive a certificate of commendation from Kroger’s Chairman Dave Dillon, who will also make a $500 contribution to the Salvation Army on McCleary’s behalf. Central division will match the donation with an additional $500 to the Mizpah Shrine Club Children’s Hospital.

As Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 715 since 1978, McCleary has mentored 100 young men as they successfully attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Both of his sons, Rick and James, are Eagle Scouts. He has led the troop to the Grand Canyon six times, Europe three times and toured across the United States. Troop 715 has also hosted more than 100 Scouts from Switzerland and Russia.

McCleary has been recognized many times for his community and Scouting leadership. He received the Sagamore of the Wabash from the governor in 2004 and was named the Rotary Club’s man of the year for living a life that demonstrates Rotary’s motto of “service above self.” In 2012, both the Kosciusko county commissioners and Warsaw’s mayor recognized him for his community leadership and the 100 Eagle Scout milestone.

The Boy Scout organization has also honored McCleary many times, including Scouting’s highest honors. He has received the district award of merit, the council silver beaver award and the order of the arrow vigil award. He started the Lincolnway district Cub Scout camp on his own land in 1976 and has led the effort ever since. The camp is not the largest Cub Scout day camp in northern Indiana.

McCleary is a six year employee of The Kroger Company. He was nominated for the community service award by store manager Mike McCarty.