Thibodaux resident John Lombardo is among 10 Louisiana residents who will be honored in October at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation’s Angel Award ceremony for his efforts to improve the lives of children.

"We're deeply proud of John," said foundation president Michael Tipton, "Along with our other Angels, we hold him up to show everyone how everyday goodness takes hold and spreads in a way that completely changes the future for our children."

Lombardo began volunteering and doing service work while attending E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux when he joined the Key Club, which is tied to the Kiwanis Club.

"The Kiwanians led that Key Club and showed us that path of service. That's how I began my wonderful opportunity in the Kiwanian family. It was obvious that I would move to Kiwanis once I graduated," he said.

Through the Kiwanis Club of Thibodaux, Lombardo has given his time both as a volunteer and as a member of the U.S. Army National Guard.

Among many other projects, Lombardo has given hundreds of hours as a volunteer for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Lafourche, where he works with children in need to make sure they are placed in loving homes.

"One of our fellow Kiwanians was quite passionate about CASA and brought it before our Kiwanis board and from there I decided to take the leap and become a volunteer for CASA. It's an amazing thing to do and I encourage everyone to go and look at becoming an advocate," he said.

Lombardo also serves as a youth adviser to the Thibodaux Elementary School K-Kids Club, the St. Joseph Elementary School Builders Club, which he helped charter, the E.D. White Catholic Highl Key Club and the Nicholls State University Circle K.

Lombardo said he wouldn't want anyone to use him as a role model, but instead look to organizations like the Kiwanis Club members or CASA advocates who give of their time every day because that’s the right thing to do. While they might not get noticed, they are making a difference.

Lombardo said his motivation to volunteer comes from trying to give others some of the opportunities he had growing up.

"It comes down to the fact that there’s a lot of individuals in our community that don’t have the opportunity that I did growing up or day to day. If I was in a similar predicament, I would appreciate someone to do a small little gesture like taking the time out of their day; doing the right thing," he said.

The stories of each receipient will be told at an invitation-only presentation ceremony Oct. 17 in Baton Rouge.