ANDERSON — The infamous Ricker’s Pop was memorialized in glass Thursday as local entrepreneurs Jay and Nancy Ricker were honored by the Crossroads of America Council, Boy Scouts of America for their community service.
As a token of their service, the Rickers received an engraved glass Ricker’s Pop cup and straw, symbolizing the popular fountain drink the couple’s Ricker’s convenience stores have come to be known for.
“It’s kind of overwhelming and humbling to receive an award like that,” Nancy Ricker said. “You just do what you do every day, and you don’t expect to be commended for it in this way.”
The Rickers, who started Ricker Oil Co. and their chain of convenience stores in 1979 in Middletown, were given the Boy Scouts’ annual Distinguished Citizens Award. According to the council, the award is given to someone who has practiced “selfless and tireless acts of service” and shown qualities of leadership, dedication and willingness to improve the lives of those around them.
Distinguished Citizen Dinner Committee Chairman Bob Pensec said the recipients are chosen for their contributions to their communities and that the Rickers were selected for the award based on their service both monetarily and by volunteering their time.
“By doing that, they set an example for their employees to also give back to their communities,” Pensec said.
The Rickers’ son, Quinn Ricker, said his parents also set a good example for him and his sister, Laine. Quinn Ricker now is the director of operations for Ricker’s and said his parents made a difficult decision when his father left his job at Shell Oil and started his own company.
“They did a very difficult thing back in 1979,” he said. “I think that shows how focused they are on family values.”
Quinn Ricker said his parents give to causes close to their hearts, such as the Anderson Symphony Orchestra, Chamber of Commerce, Madison County Community Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
“My parents are dedicated to giving back to the community that’s given them so much,” he said. “There’s those not so visible ways that they give back to our community.”
Ricker’s Director of Marketing Keith Broviak said the Rickers had helped the employees of their own company as well.
“It’s just unbelievable to work side-by-side with people who have done such good things not only in our community but for the people in our company,” he said. “If we treat people right then we don’t have to worry about how our customers will be treated.
“Jay and Nancy have been great leaders to our company, they have been great mentors to me, and I would say most of all they have been great friends to me.”
Ricker’s has grown to include 49 stores from Fort Wayne to Mooresville and 60 more stores that are supplied by Ricker Oil Co. Jay Ricker said he never thought his business would grow so fast.
“We didn’t imagine we’d be where we were today,” he said. “When you have a successful business you need to be involved and you need to give back.”
Thursday’s dinner raised more than $11,500 for the Boy Scouts of America’s Sakima District, which includes Anderson. The money will go to scouting programs in the county for at-risk and low-income boys.
Contact Aleasha Sandley: 640-4805, aleasha.sandley @heraldbulletin.com.
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Rickers honored at Boy Scout banquet
Couple given Distinguished Citizen Award
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