Jackson Community College-- Ganton, Weathers receive MLK Medal of Service Award

By Frank Weir Legal News Judi Ganton and Renell Weathers were honored by Jackson Community College on January 15 when it presented its Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Medal of Service Award to each of them. According to JCC, the King Medal of Service Award recognizes individuals or groups of individuals in Jackson for their community service. Further, individuals are "recognized who believe in the basic tenets of cultural and ethnic diversity, recognize the richness and strength that comes from valuing others of different groups and encourage minority group members to participate fully in our society," a JCC web page states. Renell Weathers was introduced by daughter Courtney Weathers with comments from former Rep. Mark Schauer, for whom she served as senior district representative, while Patricia Anderson introduced Ganton. "She's a lady with a big heart, zest for life, family, and a love of God," Anderson said while introducing Ganton. "She does so many things people don't know about...not even Lloyd," she said to laughter from the audience of several hundred. "She built two houses for two widows in central Africa during a civil war there. She purchases tassels for hundreds of student graduates in Burundi, Africa and for one year supported a church here in Jackson just to help them get started. "When a summer day Bible class needed a place to meet, she said, 'Come to my house,' and then she left telling everyone to pull her door closed when the meeting was concluded. "Who does that? "The number of awards she has received leaves one speechless. I think this one is number 20," Anderson said. In accepting the award, Ganton said, "I came from upstate New York where everybody loved everybody else. "Everyone was equal. We all played together and had a wonderful life. I thank my godly parents, parents who always served their community. My father would say that we should give to the point of sacrifice and my mother always encouraged me to get involved in my local community. That was what I always wanted to do. "God gave me a passion to go to Africa and I also love Jackson and my work here. In 1968, two great men died: my dad and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." Schauer called Weathers "one of the most amazing people I've met in my life," when he helped to introduce her at the event. "I met her when she was a 'gatekeeper' for Rev. (James L.) Hines. If you ever needed to get ahold of Rev. Hines, you called Renell. "And she made the Lily Missions Center (Lily Missionary Baptist Church) go and helped develop it. It was always all about children. "It is only fitting that Renell be honored in the name of Dr. King because she walks in Dr. King's path everyday. When Dr. King asked all of us one of life's most persistent questions, 'What are you doing for others?' that was a no-brainer for Renell. That's what she wakes up everyday to do. She does it in the most grateful way I have ever seen. "She's a treasure to this community. Tonight JCC is lifting up two great people who are living Dr. King's example. Both Judi and Renell have many things in common with Dr.King and with each other. They are children of pastors.They came by their skills and traits honestly. Truly, they are people of God." Weathers noted that "my first volunteer experience was when my daughters were three and four. We joined a coop and that was the beginning of my seeking to serve. I have always focused on youth, our greatest asset. They truly deserve our energy and time but there are many opportunities to serve. "Each of us needs to answer Dr. King's 'persistent question' and find ways to serve our community," she said. The evening included musical performances by JCC's Sisters of Strength and Men of Merit and by The Willis Family. An impressive keynote address was delivered by author and entrepreneur Kenneth Brown who spoke on, "The Power of the Dream: From Welfare to Millionaire." JCC DIrector of Multicultural Relations Lee Hampton planned the evening while JCC President Dr. Daniel Phelan welcomed attendees. Paastor Mark VanVelin of the Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church delivered the invocation and grace while JCC student Shemika Draw introduced the Sisters of Strength and Men of Merit organizations. Published: Mon, Jan 24, 2011

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