A host of visitors, including some local officials, gathered into the sanctuary of Clifford Memorial Presbyterian Church in Grovetown, Saturday afternoon, to pay homage to the conscientious contributions of good citizens.
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The church hosted the second yearly Samaritan Awards, launched by its pastor, Rev. Elliot Norman, to honor members of the community who have exhibited selflessness, bravery and compassion.
“This award is for the people,” said Norman, a former Army combat medic, in his opening statement. “People in the community who help each other every day… stop by the side of the road and help someone change a tire, or drive someone to the hospital when they don’t even know where you’re going to they’re going to get gas. This award is for you.”
After the church band opened the ceremony with renditions of “Jesus is a Waymaker” and “The Goodness of God,” and introductory remarks, keynote speaker and Grovetown Mayor Pro Tem Eric Blair lauded the recipients, referencing the biblical passage in Luke—chapter 10, verses 30-35—from which the award program gets its namesake.
“This story, I’ve got to tell you, is pretty powerful, and it’s a reminder of the profound impact that just a single act of kindness can have on each and every one of us in Grovetown,” Blair said. “We are blessed to have citizens who embody the spirit of the Good Samaritan.”
The program presented 10 awards, comprised of an engraved trophy and a cash prize.
Rev. Joshua Swanson, former pastor of Grovetown United Methodist Church, upon receiving the Minister of the Year award, presented by last year’s recipient, Fellowship Baptist Church Pastor Sonny Sevigney, told the congregation about his surprise after getting word he would receive the award.
“Sometimes pastoring is a hard job for many things, and sometimes it’s just simply because of how we view ourselves, always wanting to do more,” said Swanson, currently the director of the Wesley Foundation at the University of West Georgia in Carrolton. “It’s one of those things that I think keeps you going, and it keeps you to believe that you are doing the work that God has called you to… that you are touching people in ways that you may not even understand.”
Councilwoman Sylvia Martin, who is in her 47th year as an educator, received the Teacher of the Year Award.
“I always tell people all the time, the grass is not green on the other side,” said Martin, a Grovetown native who spent 33 years as an elementary school teacher in Columbia County, and since then has gone on to teach at the university level at USC Aiken and then Augusta University. “I love Grovetown. I know we’ve grown a lot. It’s not the little town that I grew up in… But I really can’t imagine living any place else, because this is home. We are a community, and we love each other. So thank you.”
Jermaine Whirl, president of Augusta Technical College, received the John Dewey Award, which honors those who have made significant economic contributions to the City of Grovetown.
“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world,” said Whirl, quoting Nelson Mandela, before citing Augusta Tech’s current motto, “It’s Time.”
“We created that motto about three years ago because we wanted this community to know that it’s time, wherever you are in life, if you’re working a dead end job, it’s time to change. If you’re getting underpaid, it’s time to get a new career… We’re going to collaborate with anybody that’s willing to do so, so that everybody in this community can have an abundant life.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
