By John Tredrea, The Packet Group
He’s a dedicated a volunteer at his local firehouse, and at the first aid station, too.
This summer, he’ll spend two weeks in England and France, doing volunteer work while he learns about those countries in the People to People program.
That’s impressive enough. What’s really remarkable is his age. He’s 11.
His name is John Hunt, of West Amwell, and, last Friday afternoon in a brief ceremony at the Hopewell Valley Community Bank’s Pennington branch, he received a special award for all the work’s he done for others.
Presented to John by Jean Gianacaci was a plaque naming John Christine’s Hero of the Month.
Mrs. Gianacaci and her husband John, Hopewell Township residents, lost their daughter Christine in the Haitian earthquake last year. Ms. Gianacaci was on the island with a team of college classmates and faculty to help needy youngsters. Shortly after her death, her parents established an organization in her name to help children everywhere — the Christine’s Hope for Kids Foundation.
As she gave John his plaque, Ms. Gianacaci said: “Volunteerism is near and dear to our hearts and was to Christine’s heart. You exemplify all the things about heroes we admire. The help you give your local fire company and first aid squad during their dinners and other activities is a wonderful thing. We hope you will continue to do such things and that you’ll teach other kids to be like you.”
Looking on proudly were John’s parents, Paul Hunt and Tammy Brown-Hunt, who works at the Hopewell Valley Community Bank. “I’m truly honored to have our son put in the same category with Christine Gianacaci,” Ms. Brown-Hunt said.
How did John feel about getting the award?
”Really good,” he said. “I kind of grew up in the firehouse and first aid station.” Fond of baseball, football and wrestling, John is a fifth-grader at West Amwell Elementary School, where’s he on the honor roll. He’s also a member of the 4-H club.
Being an emergency service volunteer is a longstanding tradition in the Hunt family. John’s father is a volunteer at the firefighting and first aid units in Lambertville, where John has been helping out for years. His brother Ken, who also volunteers with those units, is a paid EMT in Hillsborough, as well. And his grandfather is a former fire chief.
In France this summer, John’s stops will include a visit to Normandy, where he’ll attend a ceremony for fallen soldiers. In England, his itinerary includes visiting Parliament for a day.
”It’s no surprise that John has received this fine honor as he follows in the footsteps of his parents Tammy and Paul. The Hunt family is well known throughout the area for their support of local fire companies, rescue squads and juvenile diabetes causes. John is a fine young man who exemplifies the benefits of ‘giving back’ to his community and all of us at Hopewell Valley Community Bank are very proud of his civic and charitable accomplishments,” said Pat Ryan, chairman of the board of Hopewell Valley Community Bank.
To find out more about the Christine’s Hope for Kids Foundation, visit www.christinehope.org.

