Hooked on Philanthropy
Hawkins first joined the Bradenton
Kiwanis Club in 1981. “Someone asked
me to attend a meeting, and I was
hooked,” he recalls.
Since then, Hawkins has been involved
with countless Kiwanis Club projects
and commit tees as well as other
nonprofits across the community.
Over the years, Hawkins has provided
leadership to Just for Girls and Manatee
County Girls Club Foundation. In
addition to serving as president of the
Bradenton Kiwanis Foundation, he has
also served as president of Bradenton
Kiwanis Club.
In 2016, Hawkins received the William
C. Grimes Lifetime Achievement in
Community Service Award. Presented by
the Manatee County Bar Association, this
prestigious award highlights members of
the Bar Association who provide service
to the community through participation
in organizations beyond the scope of
Bench, Bar, and mandatory pro bono
legal services.
Deep Roots in Manatee
Although Hawkins wasn’t born in
Bradenton, he considers Manatee County
his lifelong home. He was only 5-yearsold
when his family moved to Bradenton
from Pittsburgh in 1958. “Dad opened a
hardware store in downtown Bradenton
where Keeton’s Ofce Supply Store is
currently located,” he recalls.
After graduating from Manatee High
School in 1971, Hawkins attended the
University of Southern Mississippi on a full
basketball scholarship, where he served
as team captain his junior and senior
years. He went on to graduate from Ole
Miss Law School in 1978.
Hawkins met his wife, Paula, originally
from Jackson Mississippi, while they
were in college. After they were married,
the couple returned to Manatee County
in 1979, and Hawkins started his law
practice. They have lived in Bradenton
ever since.
Jack and Paula’s daughter, Jennifer
Pullen, also lives in Bradenton with her
husband, Tyler. Jennifer and Tyler have
two daughters.
When he’s not pract icing law or
volunteering, Hawkins enjoys cooking
Cajun and Creole dishes and camping
- but landscaping is his true passion.
“When I first moved back to town
and started practicing law, I started a
landscaping consulting business on the
side,” he says. “I have landscaped many
homes and businesses in Bradenton. That
was when I was in my late 20s, early 30s.
Now at the age of 65, I just enjoy working
in my own yard, trying new recipes on the
weekends, and spending time with our
granddaughters.”
• For more information about the Bradenton Kiwanis Foundation, visit www.BradentonKF.org
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/www.BradentonKF.org