Mark Bailey honored with 14th Gus Craig Award

Advisory Council Chairman, Gary E. Bruce, of the Salvation Army of St. Johns reported to Historic City News that tomorrow evening, the Advisory Council will honor Mark F. Bailey, Sr., with the 14th Annual Gus Craig Award.

For the past 14 years, the Advisory Council of The Salvation Army of St. Johns selects an individual whose outstanding volunteer service exemplifies the values of our organization and honors the memory of our beloved friend and mentor, A. H. “Gus” Craig, Jr.

The ceremony will be held at Flagler College in the Ponce de Leon Dining Room; with a social beginning at 6:30 p.m. and dinner beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Bailey, whose father, John D. Bailey, Sr., is also a recipient, was chosen to join a list of distinguished servant leaders who give freely and generously of themselves to the benefit of our community.

“Mark gives back to his community by serving the needs of others,” Bruce told Historic City News. “Bailey served as Chairman for the $5 million capital campaign to build the Community Hospice of Northeast Florida inpatient hospice care center.”

The Bailey Family Center for Caring opened its doors this February, culminating a three-year effort that has made a major, positive impact in the community.

The Salvation Army of St. Johns County has chosen Bailey to receive the Gus Craig Award for his community involvement and his commitment to the values the Salvation Army extols.

Bailey is a lifelong St. Augustine resident and graduate of the Bolles School in Jacksonville. He earned a BA in Economics and Business from Vanderbilt University in 1984.

Following graduation, he returned to St. Augustine to join the Thompson, Bailey, Baker Insurance Agency and later established The Bailey Group, providing insurance, benefits and financial strategies to companies and employees across the United States.

Bailey is actively involved in many community organizations.

He has served as a Board member and current President of the St. Johns County Welfare Federation (25 years), board member & past Chairman of the St. Augustine YMCA (20+ years), board member & past Chairman Flagler Healthcare Foundation (8 years), board member St. Augustine Foundation, board member & current Chairman Prosperity Bank, board member & past President St. Augustine Rotary Club, current trustee Flagler College,
current board member YMCA of Florida’s First Coast Metro Board, past president, American Cancer Society, past president, St. Augustine Life Underwriters, and a 27 year member of the Million Dollar Round Table.

Introducing Bailey will be film and television actor Linden Ashby; a family friend and surfing buddy. Presentation of the Gus Craig Award will be made by Sheriff David B. Shoar, himself an award recipient.