Jackson Free Press

When he was a child growing up in Greenville, Robby Scucchi looked forward to visits from Junior Auxiliary volunteers who read C.S. Lewis books at his elementary school. Now, more than three decades later, Scucchi has devoted his career to assisting volunteers who work with disabled patients.

Scucchi coordinates volunteer services with organizations such as the Junior Auxiliary of Rankin County in his role as director of volunteer services at Methodist Specialty Care Center, a division of Methodist Rehabilitation Center. On March 26, the Junior Auxiliary of Rankin County will honor Scucchi for helping volunteers host activities for patients such as Mardi Gras Float Contests, art projects and social events.

The Junior Auxiliary helped Scucchi discover his passion for the arts and reading at a young age, he says. When he was in high school, the league hosted an anti-drug presentation with TV personality Montel Williams, which Scucchi says made a lasting impression on him.

"The Junior Auxiliary saw the need to address the issues and responded because they care what happens to young people. Their hearts are genuine, and they are quick to respond to a call for service," Scucchi said in a statement.

In 2004, the Greenville native moved to Jackson for his current position. He says that seeing volunteers brighten the day of the center's long-term disabled patients is the highlight of his day. The Junior Auxiliary performs several projects in the Jackson metro each year including providing backpacks and school supplies to children, painting facilities at the Mississippi Children's Home and donating school clothes to needy families.

In his free time, Scucchi, 40, is active in local theater productions and volunteers with Mississippi HeARTS Against AIDS.

The Junior Auxiliary of Rankin County will grant Scucchi the Community Volunteer of the Year Award March 26, at 6 p.m. during its annual Charity Ball at Castlewoods Country Club (100 Castlewoods Blvd., Brandon). Tickets are $100 per couple, and proceeds will fund future Auxiliary projects. To purchase tickets, e-mail [e-mail missing].