Eatonton’s Mothers Against Crime (MAC) service organization held its annual awards dinner Saturday night at St. John AME Church.
A traditional Southern meal was served, and several certificates of appreciation were presented to local public service workers.
Each certificate declared, “The spirit of service is the heart of humanity.”
MAC co-founder and longtime Uncle Remus Museum docent Georgia Benjamin-Smith acted as hostess and emcee for the event, with her primary message being to take action and make your community a better place to live.
“If you don’t do something positive, it’s your own fault, am I right?” she asked rhetorically. “I’m 84 years old, and I’m still doing it. Young people, you can do it, too. … My slogan is, ‘We can’t afford to wait.’”
Benjamin-Smith didn’t wait long to present the first MAC award to Eatonton Police Department patrol officer Rebecca Meeks.
Benjamin-Smith and EPD Chief Howell Cardwell jointly presented the award to Meeks.
Next, Sgt. Justin Brock of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department was recognized. However, Brock was not present, so Cardwell accepted on his behalf. Benjamin-Smith then presented paramedic shift supervisor Renaldo Sanders with the medical services award.
Armando Moreno, a captain with the Eatonton Fire Department, was named the department’s Firefighter of the Year last month and then received a MAC award from Benjamin-Smith. Devon Morris received a similar MAC recognition for his work with the Putnam County Fire Department.
Finally, Hank Bauer received an award for approaching his job with humor and grace under pressure.
As proof, Benjamin-Smith relayed a story about him once attending a MAC event for children as half of the Mischief & Nonsense Clown team with his daughter. Still, upon receiving an emergency call, he left in a hurry and ended up directing traffic near a fire — still in his clown suit.
“Nobody knew what to think,” she said.
Benjamin-Smith ended the evening with a pitch to join Mothers Against Crime for the new year. She explained dues are $10 per month, which goes toward putting together almost monthly programs to help out local families and children with free yard sales (“Everything’s free,” she stressed.), as well as $500 scholarships to a graduating senior from Putnam County High School and another graduate at Eatonton’s Gatewood Schools.
“Public or private, it doesn’t matter; we want to support and encourage all students,” Benjamin-Smith declared.
She also promoted MAC’s annual Gospel Singing Concert, which will be held in January at The Little Theater in Putnam County Middle School.
“Everyone needs to buy a ticket,” Benjamin-Smith said. “It’s a great show; everyone always has a great time. Just find any Mothers Against Crime member and buy a ticket. And if you just can’t come, buy a ticket, and give it to someone else. That works, too.”