The Salvation Army has announced that it will honor Walpole resident Ted Lynch with the prestigious Others Award at the organization’s Annual Luncheon on December 13 at the InterContinental Boston Hotel. The Others Award honors an individual or organization exemplifying an extraordinary spirit of service to "others" in their community.
The Others Award is based on the powerful message of the Founder of the Salvation Army many years ago. He was preparing to send his annual Christmas message to Salvationists around the world. In those days, communication was by telegraph, and you paid for each word that you sent. Times were tough and the Army was short on money, so William Booth sent a one-word telegram. The word he sent was: “OTHERS!”
Ted has been chairperson and dedicated committee member of the Annual Luncheon Committee for over a decade and is responsible for raising significant income from corporate sponsors, Bank of America and its foundation, and countless individuals.
Ted credits his passion for The Salvation Army to his grandfather who served in WWII and always spoke highly of the organization. “What’s important to me now,” relates Lynch, “is passing this legacy onto our children.” They join him when he consistently volunteers for Salvation Army Thanksgiving and Christmas distributions.
Ted began his banking career in 1985 working with New England regional banks with a focus on commercial and real estate finance. Ted joined the First National Bank of Boston in 1992, working with small and mid-sized business in eastern Massachusetts, and in 1995 assuming a leadership position with the Bank’s restaurant finance group focusing on McDonald’s franchisees, a position which continued through Bank of Boston’s merger with Fleet. With the acquisition by Bank of America, Ted transitioned to a national corporate finance role, leading and arranging financing for other national restaurant chains. Ted has been a speaker and presenter at various industry conferences and is often sought out for commentary by industry publications.
Currently, Lynch is Managing Director and Senior Client Manager for Bank of America Merrill Lynch at its Boston headquarters and is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and the Boston College Wallace E. Carroll School of Management.
For the past 20 years, Ted has been a co-chair of the Holy Cross Class of 1984, responsible for annual fund giving, class communications, and serving as a class liaison. Ted is a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Walpole, where he has also coached youth basketball, lacrosse, and soccer. Ted and his wife Denise are the parents of Grace, Lucy, and Audrey.
Recipients of the Others Award exhibit dedication and compassion through exceptional service benefitting The Salvation Army and the community. In the history of the Annual Luncheon, 47 Others Award recipients have been named. Recent honorees include Greater Media CEO and President Peter Smyth, and Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
The Salvation Army Annual Luncheon recognizes community members who have dedicated their lives to service and celebrates the transformative work that occurs at twelve Greater Boston centers, where our most vulnerable neighbors experience a variety of programs and services including day care, after-school and character-building programs for K-12 students, food, and other emergency assistance.
“Choosing to honor Ted Lynch was a very simple decision for us,” said Major David B. Davis, Massachusetts State Commander. “We could not serve the community as effectively as we do without incredible, dedicated volunteers like Ted. He exemplifies the spirit of the Others Award.”
Annual Luncheon Committee and Salvation Army State Board of Advisors Member Margaret Boles Fitzgerald concurs. “Ted Lynch is exactly the kind of volunteer The Salvation Army needs—selfless, generous and dedicated. He understands the value of corporate citizenship and personal community investment and that those of us who have been blessed have an obligation to support our neighbors in need.”
The Annual Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, December 13 at the InterContinental Boston® Hotel at noon. The Salvation Army has set a fundraising goal of $300,000 for the event.
For more information, visit SalvationArmyMA.org/AnnualLuncheon.
