Blog / Giving Back, Pwilly's Beach News
A Legacy of Giving: Pineapple Willy’s Receives Humanitarian of the Year Award
Published on March 11, 2025 by Pineapple Willy’s
We are honored to announce that Pineapple Willy’s has been recognized as the Humanitarian of the Year by the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce during their 2025 Annual Awards Dinner. Our CEO, Melissa Traxler, graciously accepted this prestigious award on behalf of our dedicated team.
A Legacy of Giving: Bill Buskell’s Impact
This accolade holds special significance as it mirrors the legacy of our late founder, Bill “Pine” Buskell. In 2001, Bill was honored with the Dick Arnold Distinguished Citizen of the Year award from the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, recognizing his unwavering commitment to community service and excellence in business.
Recognizing a Pioneer in the Community
Bill’s philanthropic spirit was a cornerstone of Pineapple Willy’s. He consistently leveraged our platform to support local charities and nonprofits, embodying the essence of community leadership. His dedication was further acknowledged in 2018 when he received the Pioneer of the Year award from the Chamber, celebrating his significant contributions to the development and success of our area.
Continuing the Tradition of Giving Back
Continuing Bill’s legacy, Pineapple Willy’s remains deeply committed to community engagement. Our annual “Pay It Forward” event in August exemplifies this commitment, where we rally support for local charities, reflecting our ongoing dedication to making a positive impact.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Community
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce for this honor and to our community for their unwavering support. As we celebrate this achievement, we remain inspired by Bill’s enduring legacy, striving to uphold the values he instilled in us.
Share this article:
More on Giving Back and Pwilly's Beach News:
Keeping PCB Beautiful—Literally
This past Saturday, we teamed up with Keep PCB Beautiful for our sixth Summer Beach Cleanup,...
Lifting Lives with Humble House Ministries
Even in the heat of a holiday weekend, our community showed up big for Saturday’s beach...
Hope Starts Here: Supporting the Rescue Mission
This past Saturday, we wrapped up June with a whole lot of heart. 103 dedicated volunteers...
Strength in Action: Girls Inc. Leads the Way
Saturday morning was one to remember! Our third summer beach cleanup brought together 163 volunteers who...
Beach Cleanup Supports Lucky Pups in Need
This past Saturday morning brought another great turnout for our second Pineapple Willy’s Summer Beach Cleanup!...
Summer Beach Cleanups Are Back!
This past Saturday, we officially kicked off our Summer Beach Cleanup Series—and what a way to...