The 31st annual Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Awards gala, held Tuesday night in the ballroom of the Nessmith-Lane Building at Georgia Southern University, recognized three past recipients for an even more prestigious honor — the Lifetime Achievement Award.
These people have dedicated their lifetimes to helping make the world a better place, to helping others in selfless servant leadership, and to volunteering tirelessly.
Billy Hickman, a Statesboro business partner who was named the Statesboro Herald Humanitarian of the Year in 2018, introduced the three Lifetime Achievement Award recipients: Kathy Spivey, Hadley Campbell and Doug Lambert.
Kathy Spivey
Kathy Spivey was noted for several accomplishments, including having been a Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Awards volunteer for over three decades.
"Some people just seem to be everywhere, usually behind the scenes making the action happen," Hickman said. "They don't seek the spotlight or glory, but they rarely say the word 'no' when asked to lead or volunteer to serve on a project. Few people can do this with the grace and style" Spivey shows, he said.
"Any number of local organizations depend on her regularly in filling their commitments to community service. The Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce couldn't do without her."
Spivey has been involved in a host of Chamber events — planning, decorating and "helping to pull off those fun, entertaining and beneficial events such as the annual golf tournament. Her love of gardening is shown through her decorating skills, and she is always a charming hostess," he said.
Spivey joined the Rotary Club of Downtown Statesboro in 1996 and "has a hand in every single event or project the civic club does, and not only as a longtime member, she has frequently served as committee chair as well."
She is a long-time board member of the GSU Botanic Garden and helps with its "Lunch and Learn" series, including buying and making lunch for the event's participants.
She served for many years on the Joseph's Home for Boys board, including as a past president.
The Metter native attended Georgia Southern College and in 1977 began working at Sea Island Bank.
"It was there that she worked for the late Hal Averitt. During his years as Statesboro's mayor, this lady spent countless volunteer hours involved in city projects and events, including helping bring the Averitt arts center to Statesboro," Hickman said. She retired from the bank profession in 2016.
He praised her for hard work "behind the scenes" with the Deen Day Smith program for so many years.
She "was one of the first to volunteer with this community awards and recognition program. For 30 years, she has helped in virtually every aspect of the scores of efforts required to make the Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Awards one of our community's most cherished awards," he said. "From decorating the banquet hall to presenting awards to recipients, from serving on the selection committee to soliciting gifts for recipients, this lady has quietly done it all.
"Tonight, take a look around you," he told guests who attended the soiree. "This beautiful event would not be as special if not for Kathy Spivey's touch. Every year she is here to help, and fellow volunteers praise her for having been a stellar graduate of Patsy Bobo's Boot Camp for Volunteers and helping keep the tradition … alive and growing since its beginning."
Bobo is one of the program's founders.
Hadley Campbell
Touted as one of Statesboro's most well-known actors, singers and writers, Hadley Campbell is unique, Hickman said.
"It takes a pretty special person to devote a lifetime to bringing delight and happiness to others. A well-rounded personality, one making our community shine through his dedication to local youth sports, performing arts, writing and civic leadership."
Campbell came to Statesboro in 1972 to attend Georgia Southern, where he graduated with a BS in history and sociology. After graduation, he married and began working in banking and later in sales.
He is a member of Pittman Park United Methodist Church, where he has served in several capacities, including teaching Sunday school, working as youth counselor, singing in the choir and traveling on several mission trips, Hickman said.
"He has held offices in the church including church council chairperson, finance chair and administration board chairman. He volunteered with the church's tornado relief efforts for the Northwest Georgia area, helping get food and supplies to the victims of terrible storms."
A charter member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Statesboro, Campbell has served as club president, secretary and bulletin editor.
He served as a seven-year member of the Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation advisory committee and retired as chairman. He also served as a youth softball and basketball coach for nine seasons and coached for 12 years for the Ogeechee Youth Soccer League, also serving as a board member and treasurer.
"He is a valued presence at the Averitt Center for the Arts and served in the past as president of the Averitt STARS," Hickman said. "A talented singer, actor and writer, he has graced the stage at least 36 times at the Emma Kelley Theater, including roles in the Christmas classic 'The Nutcracker' with the Statesboro School of Dance, with whom he has volunteered for 12 years."
Campbell has been visiting local health care facilities for the past six years to entertain residents at least twice monthly. He served on the GSU Symphony Board and volunteered with the Boys & Girls Club of Bulloch County.
"He was there in the beginning with Bulloch County United Way, serving on the review panel for its first few years of existence," Hickman said.
Campbell has been a member of the Institutional Review Board of Georgia Southern University since 2014 and has served as a chairperson for the Bulloch County Board of Elections and Registration for several years now.
"He has brought talent, compassion, energy and insight to our community in all the years he has lived here."
Doug Lambert
Doug Lambert could be called a host of Statesboro and Bulloch County with all he has done for the community in the name of hospitality.
He "has a long history of doing things to make Statesboro and Bulloch County a stellar and inviting community," Hickman said. "His focus on hospitality and leadership has left a positive mark on our city, exemplifying the welcoming embrace shown to visitors and potential business partners and neighbors."
Lambert has served on the Bulloch County Development Authority, the Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Bulloch County Airport Committee. He is a past president of the Ogeechee Technical College Foundation and the Rotary Club of Downtown Statesboro and a former Rotary assistant district governor and is a member of the Georgia Southern University College of Business Administration advisory council.
He is past chairman of the Coastal Workforce Services Board in Savannah and of the Hospitality & Travel Foundation, and he and his wife hosted an exchange student from Denmark under the Georgia Rotary Student Program.
"Known by friends and peers as a man of integrity, a dedicated public servant … he is a leader in his industry as an entrepreneur, a visionary developer and superb manager who has built several businesses and created countless jobs in our area," he said.
Lambert helped organized the Statesboro Convention and Visitor's Bureau and served as charter president. He has served as past chairman of the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce and is a past president of Forest Heights Country Club. He was the Statesboro¬-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business Leader of the Year and a member of the Georgia Tourism Roundtable.
He is "deeply involved in the Creek on the Blue Mile Commission (which) involves countless hours of volunteerism, dedication and passion for the community," Hickman said.
Lambert was the 1997 GSU College of Business Administration Alumnus of Year and has served as vice chairman of the COBA advisory council and chairman of the academic advisory council of GSU's Hotel and Restaurant Management program.
He "is a voracious reader, has a passion for automobiles and is an instrument-rated private pilot," Hickman said.
A native of Atlanta, Lambert graduated from GSU with a bachelor's degree in marketing. While attending college, he worked as desk clerk for a local hotel, and after graduation, he went to work with Franklin Equities Inc., taking responsibility for operation of seven hotels and eight restaurants in six states.
He formed Southeastern Hospitality services, building eight hotels in Statesboro and Savannah. In 1986, he was named Georgia Hotelier of the Year and in 1990 the Travel Industry Member of the Year for the Magnolia Midlands Travel Association.
Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.