![Operation HOPE Founder John Thomas to Receive Ellis Island Medal of Honor](http://townsquare.media/site/192/files/2012/04/98929352-300x205.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Operation HOPE Founder John Thomas to Receive Ellis Island Medal of Honor
A local physician and organization founder has been selected for an award.
Dr. John Thomas, the founder of Operation H.O.P.E., has been selected by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations to receive the 2012 Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
NECO supports new education initiatives and cutting-edge medical research endeavors, and partners with humanitarian organizations nationally and internationally.
The Ellis Island Medals of Honor pay tribute to different ancestry groups of which the United States is comprised.
The May 12th event will include all branches of the United States Armed Forces, as well as dancers in native costume, a gala dinner at the historic Great Hall on Ellis Island, and a fireworks display designed to illuminate the Statue of Liberty.
Thomas was selected for this award based on a number of contributions to medicine and foreign aid through his surgical practice and Operation HOPE.
Operation HOPE (Helping Outreach for People Everywhere) is a non-profit organization that offers community service both locally and internationally, through men’s and women’s bible studies, fundraising for purchasing food, education, and supplies. Trips are also carried out multiple times per year to Haiti and Iraq to provide medical services, such as surgeries and training local medical staff.
More on Operation HOPE is available here.
More From News/Talk 95.1 & 790 KFYO
![Dr. John Thomas Talks About Operation Hope Banquet Featuring Dr. Ben Carson [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/192/files/2015/03/John-Thomas.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan to Perform in Lubbock to Benefit Operation HOPE](http://townsquare.media/site/192/files/2012/11/Ronan-Tynan-Wikipedia.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Operation Hope To Host “Honoring Our Military – An Evening With Ronan Tynan” [AUDIO]](http://townsquare.media/site/192/files/2012/10/photo46.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Operation Hope Founder Dr. John Thomas Talks Operation Hope on Lubbock’s First News [AUDIO]](http://townsquare.media/site/192/files/2012/05/photo59.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Oliver North To Speak At Lubbock Fund-Raiser Saturday](http://townsquare.media/site/192/files/2011/07/1383947.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Texas Tech Wins Wool Judging National Championship](http://townsquare.media/site/192/files/2024/03/attachment-Wool-Judging-Team.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Lubbock’s Ronnie Keister Appointed To Board By Texas Governor Greg Abbott](http://townsquare.media/site/192/files/2024/03/attachment-RK.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Wolfforth Farmers Market To Celebrate Easter This Saturday](http://townsquare.media/site/192/files/2024/03/attachment-bunny.jpg?w=980&q=75)