The Charlie Smith Award was presented during Wednesday night’s Second Annual Big Celebration to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The event at Champagne Jam in Warsaw was attended by more than 200 people.
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides mentoring to youth through a match process. Matches can either participate in a community based program when the “Big” meets with the “Little,” or there also is a lunch buddy program when matches meet together during school hours.
Smith was a lifelong advocate for children in Kosciusko County and a longtime benefactor of the organization.
The award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond the call of excellence and exhibit an exceptional commitment to enriching the lives of others and improving the community.
Smith’s wife, Ann, received the award on his behalf.
Josette Rider, Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO, presented the award.
Rider said Smith and Art Gakstatter were the first people she met in Warsaw when she first started working for the organization and attended a Warsaw Rotary meeting to talk about Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“Charlie always told me how he believed in young people,” Rider said.
Kevin Deardorff, Lake City Bank executive vice president, presented a framed resolution from the bank recognizing Smith for his service.
“I knew Charlie Smith for over 42 years. He was a teacher, coach and co-worker for 25 years and a dear friend,” Deardorff said.
The event featured a VIP reception, silent auction and dinner.
Attendees heard from Mike Bodiker, a “Big Brother” who received the Big Brother of the Year award in 2014. His “Little Brother” Jeremy also attended.
Jeremy said his big brother is like family to him.
“When my mom passed away, he was the only stable person I had in my life,” Jeremy said.
Bodiker said his little has made on impact on him.
“Being your big has helped me realize the importance of showing love and appreciation to people in life,” Bodiker said.
Maurice Clarrett, Ohio State University NCAA champion, was the featured speaker and said people who invest in mentoring are important.
He said as a youth he was incarcerated for stealing a car and was put into a juvenile system after breaking into a home.
After getting out of the juvenile system he was put on house arrest and he developed a love of playing football.
He went to Ohio State were he played football, but was suspended and found refuge in drugs and partying.
He went to a life skills program in California and got out and played for the Denver Broncos in the National Football League.
He became a Christian and speaks to students and athletes about his journey and overcoming drugs and breaking the law.
(Story By The Times Union)
