Awards & Recognitions

Scott Van Duzer and The Van Duzer Foundation have been recognized with numerous awards for their philanthropic efforts in St. Lucie County, Florida. Notable honors include:

Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist: Awarded during the 15th Annual National Philanthropy Day by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Exceptional Non-Profit Award: Presented at the 211 Helpline’s 2nd Annual Non-Profit Awards, Jewels of the Treasure Coast Luncheon.
Jefferson Award for Community Service: Scott Van Duzer represented South Florida at the Jefferson Award ceremonies in Washington, D.C.
The Van Duzer Foundation
Man of the Year 2009: Bestowed by the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County for outstanding community contributions.
Commissioner’s Business Recognition Award: Acknowledged for the innovative “Read to Succeed” program, which promotes student literacy by offering free books and pizza rewards for completed book summaries.

Additional accolades include the Spirit of St. Lucie Award, Exchange Club Book of Deeds, the Key to the City of Fort Pierce, recognition in PEOPLE Magazine as a Community Hero, Riverside Bank Hometown Hero Award, and induction into the Indian River State College Pioneer Hall of Fame.

These honors reflect the significant impact of Scott Van Duzer and The Van Duzer Foundation on their community.

PMW Pizza Magazine Scott Van Duzer Read to Succeed

The Van Duzer Foundation’s Read to Succeed Program Featured in PMQ Pizza Magazine

Scott Van Duzer: Serving Pizza, Books, and Hope Port St. Lucie’s Scott Van Duzer, owner of Big Apple Pizza, has turned his restaurant into a hub for community impact. Through his Read to Succeed program, kids receive free books and pizza every Wednesday night—while 50% of sales go back to local schools. With help from Scholastic, Children’s Services Council, and Pepsi, more than 20,000 books have…

Read to Succeed

Read To Succeed Scott Van Duzer’s “Read to Succeed” program has made a significant impact on promoting literacy among students in St. Lucie County. In its inaugural year, the program achieved remarkable success, with Fairlawn Elementary School reaching 100% participation. This accomplishment led to the program’s expansion for the 2024-2025 school year. The initiative has…

Against The Odds: Man Lives To Celebrate 21st Birthday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – It was a 21st birthday that wasn’t supposed to happen. A Port St. Lucie man, who has outlived his doctor’s prognosis, became of legal age Wednesday. When Dylan Picariello was 3 and a half years old and seemingly healthy, doctors found an inoperable brain tumor. It grew aggressively. At 6-years-old,…

A group of World War II veterans being honored at a community event at Big Apple Pizza in Fort Pierce.

Honor Flight Benefit

Uncle Sam Wants YOU! They are known as the Greatest Generation because they are quiet heroes, men and women who sacrificed their lives to defend our freedom in a foreign land during what was called the war to end all wars – World War II. Over 16 million men and women served during World War…

Leaders Share Troop Project

By: Bartholomew Sullivan Phone: 202-408-2726 Email: bartholomew.sullivan@tcpalm.com WASHINGTON — Fort Pierce businessman Scott Van Duzer and an entourage from St. Lucie County came away from a meeting with White House officials Wednesday convinced they can “fast-track” their Boy Scout Troop 772 initiative in more than 230 cities across the country. VanDuzer, perhaps best known nationally…

211 2nd Annual Non-Profit Awards

The Vanduzer Foundation Won Exceptional Non-Profit Award On Thursday, May 7, 2015, 211 Helpline is excited to present its 2nd Annual Non-Profit Awards, Jewels of the TreasureCoast Luncheon! We are thrilled to once again not only recognize the outstanding work being done by nonprofit agencies in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee & St. Lucie Counties, but…

Service Awards

Service Awards For The Van Duzer Foundation • Spirit of St. Lucie Award • Exchange Club Book of Deeds • Awarded Key to the City of Fort Pierce, FL • Spotlighted in PEOPLE Magazine as a Community Hero • Riverside Bank Hometown Hero Award • Indian River State College Pioneer Hall of Fame – First…

Van Duzer Founder Receives Jefferson Award

Scott Van Duzer will represent the S. Florida at the Jefferson Award ceremonies in Washington D.C. • Jefferson Award for Community Service – South Florida Representative • Points of Light Foundation – Presidential Volunteer

Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist

Scott Van Duzer was named the ‘Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist’ during the 15th Annual National Philanthropy Day by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Friday, November 20 at Harbor Ridge Yacht & Country Club. Big congratulations for being recognized in a category with so many other wonderful nominees.

The 2009 Man Of The Year

The Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County named Scott Van Duzer the 2009 Man of the Year for the incredible work he does in our community. Dawn and Scott Van Duzer with Charlie Cuomo