In the spirit of the evening, United States Congressman Rick Allen spoke of giving and making a difference as he spoke Tuesday night at the 27th Annual Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Awards banquet. The invitation-only gala, held at Georgia Southern University’s Nessmith-Lane Conference Center, honors area residents who “have a special DNA in their bodies that makes them want to serve other people,” said Joe McGlamery, Statesboro Herald president. The annual awards celebration is hosted by the Statesboro Herald.