Noon Exchange Club gives out awards

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard

WCHS teacher and Lighthouse Ministries founder Nathan Smith was the recipient of the Noon Exchange Club’s 2005 Humanitarian of the Year Award. Pictured are, from left, club president Bryan Denton, presenter Bill Zechman and Smith. (Charles W. Johnson phot

McMinnville’s Noon Exchange Club handed out its 2005 Humanitarian of the Year and Exchangite of the Year awards at the club’s annual banquet Tuesday night, along with several other awards recognizing volunteer service.

County commissioner and Noon Exchange Club member Bill Zechman presented the Humanitarian of the Year Award to Nathan Smith, local educator and founder of Lighthouse Ministries, a non-denominational and non-profit outreach program designed to provide safe, drug and alcohol free recreational activities for teens.

In honoring Smith, Zechman likened his efforts to those of the Good Samaritan of the New Testament, who took action upon finding a man who was robbed, beaten and left dying by the roadside when even two clergymen had passed him by and done nothing.

“The difference among the three men was that two refused to get involved, but the third, the Samaritan, saw an urgent human need, rolled up his sleeves and went to work,” Zechman said, noting that Lighthouse Ministries has been largely administered and personally funded by Smith, with the help of his wife, Tesh.

Zechman pointed out that while many saw the need for a safe haven for local teens, they tended to think of the situation as, “not my problem.”

Smith says the influence of his parents, Tyree and Joyce Smith, also teachers, have been instrumental in his life choices, and the support of wife Tesh has made it all possible.

“I couldn’t have done everything I’ve done without her,” he said. Though he said he is honored to receive the award, he gives the main glory to God.

“My life’s goal, and everything I’ve done, is so that when I get to heaven He’ll say, ‘Well done my good and faithful servant,” Smith said. “If I get that, then I’ll be happy.”

Sherry McGinnis, a member of the Noon Exchange board of directors, presented the 2005 Exchangite of the Year Award to club secretary Tammy Vinson.

McGinnis lauded Vinson’s contributions to the club and its programs, noting Vinson is the kind of member who has, “gone out of her way to make Exchange activities a success. Volunteering to take on leading roles without being asked and going beyond the call of duty to make sure everything was covered.”