Al Winters introduced our Honoree, Savannah’s own, SonnyDixon.  Sonny is this year’s Book ofGolden Deeds award winner.  Sonny is thevery popular local anchor of The News at Five and Six on the CBS affiliate,WTOC.  His awards in journalism are toomany to publish here, but they distinguish him above the other broadcasters inthe area.  These awards alone are enoughfor us to award him the Book of Golden Deeds, but it is his passion for theQuick Think-a-thon that sets him apart for us. Sonny noted that he didn’t go to journalism school where they teachbroadcasters to present the news dispassionately.  By his own admission, he has trouble beingthat way, and if you have seen him in action with 500-second graders, you willsee clearly what he is talking about.  Hewent on to tell of recent headlines describing accidents and deaths that couldhave been prevented by the influence of the questions and answers by the Foozerin the Quick Think-a-thon tournaments.  “Itdoes my heart good to drive up to Jenkins and SCPS and see those yellow jacketsand my Geechee brethren and it’s often the same guys year after year,” Sonnynoted.  Sonny has been the emcee of the QTAT for as long as anyone can remember, and he enjoys every minute of it.  It is his devotion to the Quick Think-a-thonand his many other places of service in our community that won him Exchange’smost coveted award, one not given every year…one given to such greats as VictorB. Jenkins, Mills B Lane, Ashley Dearing, Arthur Gignilliat, and J. Curtis Lewis.It has been given 41 times in the last 62 years and most recently to ChrisHafer and Jim Lewis.  Sonny concludedwith a short Irish toast that he sang. 

Volunteer efforts are very important to our society and should not go unnoticed. The National Exchange Club’s longest running project, the Book of Golden Deeds Award, recognizes dedicated volunteers who give endless hours of their time and talents toward making their communities better places to live. Ever since the Exchange Club of Huntington, Ind., sponsored the first award in 1919, thousands of unsung heroes and heroines have been recognized.  Honoring a fellow citizen with the Book of Golden Deeds Award is a heartwarming and inspiring act not only for the honoree, but for the entire club. The Book of Golden Deeds Award exemplifies The National Exchange Club’s beliefs.