'God has placed us in the position'

Three Tri-Lakes men nominated for Community Service Award

By Elizabeth Pannell

Photo by Rusty Hubbard

Left: Tim Culbreth, 55, of Hot Springs volunteers at Teen Challenge, an addiction-recovery center where he tries to instill within the students a sense of self-worth through community work. Center: B.J. Johnson, 64, of Sheridan used his wife's death as the impetus to become involved in the Spirit of Sharing food bank for senior citizens where he spends 50 to 70 hours a month volunteering. Right: Tom Wilkins, 59, of Hot Springs has his hand in many Spa City volunteer activities and uses his theater, Raylynn Theater, for charity events. The three men are among 12 finalists for the 2009 Arkansas Community Service Award.

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ADVERSTISMENT

TRI-LAKES AREA — Three men from the Tri-Lakes area have been recognized for their work within their communities as nominees for the 2009 Arkansas Community Service Award.

Tim Culbreth and Tom Wilkins, both of Hot Springs, and B.J. Johnson of Sheridan have all given countless hours to several community and civic organizations. They are among 12 finalists for the award, sponsored in part by the state Department of Human Services-Division of Volunteerism.

The winner will be announced at 7 p.m. Friday, July 10, in the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas. For 32 years, the Arkansas Community Service Awards have recognized individuals and businesses for their supporting volunteerism throughout the state.

TIM CULBRETH

Tim Culbreth, 55, knows the importance of volunteerism, and he instills that into the students in his addiction-recovery program.

Since 1981 Culbreth has worked for the Hot Springs addiction recovery center, Teen Challenge. The faithbased residential program applies biblical principles to help men overcome their addictions.

Culbreth said part of the program includes community service, which gives the students a sense of self-worth.

"What we try to do here is instill within our students the ability to do community service," Culbreth said. "We have classes that teach life skills, a work program, and we also work within the community by providing volunteers for various events."

Culbreth said he and the students volunteer for a variety of organizations, including the Senior Olympics, Relay for Life, Senior Companions, Spa Pacers, the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts and the Hot Springs Bicycle Association.

"I have stuck with the program because I feel it's a call," Culbreth said. "I enjoy what I do, and I'm grateful that my call coincides with something I am having a great time doing.

"I want to incorporate community service because I think it's the best way I can demonstrate my faith. It puts my actions into words."B.J. JOHNSON

When B.J. Johnson's wife died three years ago, he decided visit the local food bank to give his time.

Johnson, 64, of Sheridan now volunteers 60-70 hours a month at Spirit of Sharing. He travels to the Rice Depot and Arkansas Food Bank twice a month to get food then returns to sack up about 250 bags of food for senior citizens who need the food.

"When my wife and I moved here we always talked about doing something for someone else," Johnson said. "When she passed away I was going crazy, so I went down there (Spirit of Sharing) to see if they needed help. I started volunteering the next week."

Johnson said the experience has shown him to be grateful for what he has.

"I really enjoy what I do," Johnson said. "You just don't know how many people really need help. After a few hugs and a 'God bless you,' you realize you are just giving a little time. All you've got is time." TOM WILKINS

Tom Wilkins, 59, moved to Hot Springs from Wisconsin in 1979, and he has been involved in the city's tourism ever since. He said his desire to help others and his community comes from the way he was raised.

"My mom was always involved in community service,"Wilkins said. "When you give up your time, that is one of the top, leading things you can do in your life."

Wilkins has his hand in just about every activity in the Spa City from emceeing the Christmas parade and Veterans Day parade to founding the Arkansas Walk of Fame and raising funds for the Garland County Veterans Memorial.

"Hot Springs is a huge volunteer community, and my biggest problem is not knowing when to say no," Wilkins said. "I enjoy seeing people prosper, and it makes me feelgood, too."

Along with his community activities, Wilkins and his wife, Susan, opened the Raylynn Theater where they perform in The Wilkins and the C Street Band Show. The couple not only perform, but they use the venue for charity events.

"In today's economic times a lot of people need help for whatever reason," Wilkins said. "God has placed us in the position, and we need to try and help people where we can." - epannell@arkansasonline.com

FAST FACTSTIM

CULBRETH

Age: 55

Hometown: Hot Springs

Volunteer activities:

Teen challenge addiction

recovery center, Senior >Olympics, Relay for Life, Senior Companions, Spa Pacers, the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts and the Hot Springs Bicycle Association

B.J. JOHNSON

Age: 64

Hometown: Sheridan

Volunteer activities: Spirit of Sharing foodbank volunteer 50-70 hours a month

TOM WILKINS

Age: 59

Hometown: Hot Springs

Volunteer activities: Emcee for Christmas and Veterans >Day parades, founder of Walk of Fame and Raylynn Theater for charity events

Tri-Lakes, Pages 61, 63 on 07/02/2009