GRANVILLE — “Youth” was the key word for recipients of the Granville Rotary Club’s 2021 Dr. Allen Avery Service Above Self Award.

Area young people are the beneficiaries of work done by both Adam Gibbs and Tim and Sarah Davison, winners of the club’s honor, recognized at the club’s Dec. 6 meeting.

The Service Above Self Award, which the club introduced in 1963, is presented annually to members of the community who have "demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service in any form and at any level, with an emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others."

Rotary named the Service Above Self honor for Dr. Avery in 1971 following his untimely death, stating, "Few towns our size have been fortunate enough to have a man of the professional caliber of Al Avery. He was not only a doctor but a concerned citizen as well. Dr. Avery was a past president of Granville Rotary, during the 1966-67 year. In spite of professional demands, he seldom missed a meeting. Truly, never a man better exemplified our motto 'Service Above Self.'"

Chief among Gibbs’ credits is the Michael Dean Gibbs Foundation that he and his wife, Mariah, established. The organization raises funds to provide financial support for a diverse range of students in their pursuit of academic, artistic, and sports related activities and community projects, said Sue Cherney, who along with husband Chris nominated Gibbs for the honor.

"Adam and his family were able to turn a personal tragedy into an endeavor that will enhance the lives of children in Licking County for years to come," Sue Cherney said. "The untimely death of his brother, Michael Dean Gibbs from ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease inspired Adam and his family to establish the Michael Dean Gibbs Foundation to honor his brother’s belief that the meaning of life is to help and care for others."

Awards and scholarships from the foundation can be used to fund tuition, fees, equipment, uniforms, and supplies for youth whose families do not have the resources to provide these things, Cherney said.

"The Foundation has a community board that is passionately involved in support of its services, in raising funds, and in celebrating the young people it funds," she said, noting that during 2020, the foundation sponsored a day of collecting food, school supplies, and toys for children whose families had been hit hard by COVID-19.

"This year the foundation has added an award entitled, Change Maker of the Year to honor a young person who is ready to make a positive impact on the community," she said.

Gibbs has also made an impact at the other end of the age scale, Cherney said, serving as president of the Licking County Community Center, this area’s gathering place for senior citizens.

"During his term with the Licking County Community Center, he has demonstrated a sincere concern for seniors," Cherney said. "He has worked diligently to strengthen the organizational structure of this organization by helping to make it efficient, transparent and well-funded. He has participated in many activities there and has offered his professional services to the members at no charge."

This year, Cherney said, Gibbs successfully led the negotiation of an agreement between the Community Center and the Bryn Du Mansion board for renovation and use of the barn on the mansion site into a new senior center.

"This will be a great improvement over their current setting," she said.

Gibbs, a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, is also involved with Big Brothers-Big Sisters, the Salvation Army, and is a Hospice Volunteer, philanthropist for ALS Research, and a volunteer coach for the Granville Recreation District.

Samantha Stearns, who serves on the Michael Dean Gibbs and community center boards, said, "It’s incredible to tell kids they can have a chance at extra-curriculars that maybe they wouldn’t have tried. We are able to give kids a chance to try dance lessons or gymnastics or do a Cub Scout Service project… at a time when sports and extra-curriculars are really cost-prohibitive."

Dedicated to GHS girls sports

Rotarian Amanda Schneider, who has served as Granville Athletics Boosters president and whose daughter is a Granville High School soccer and basketball player, nominated both of the Davisons for the honor, stating the couple "go hand in hand. You can’t talk about Tim without talking about Sarah and vice versa."

"Avid supporters of girls’ athletics and particularly volleyball, basketball, and softball — their longstanding and unwavering impacts on the athletes and coaches are unquestionable," Schneider said, relying on the observations of the GHS head coaches of those sports for details on how the Davisons contribute.

Tim films practices and games for basketball and volleyball while Sarah keeps the scorebooks and stats for all three sports, Schneider said.

For basketball, "Tim films every single practice, during the winter and summer," she said, quoting Coach Tate Moore.  "Sarah keeps score for both JV and varsity games. Tim films and commentates the games. Whenever there is not a high school event, they do the same exact thing for our middle school program."

Schneider added, "They provide transportation when needed, always volunteering to drive to farther away events during the summer. They attend every summer event — Tim films while Sarah runs the clock.  They help out at Youth Camp. Sarah takes off work for the week to be there."

Former softball coach Brian Sterling, Schneider said, credits Tim and Sarah as "two of the most caring and selfless people I have ever met. Their love for Granville Athletics is well known within the Blue Ace community, but it’s the way they go about it that makes them an elite couple and a great support system."

Volleyball coach Ken Fehrman, Schneider said, observes that Tim "is still climbing up to the crow’s nest to get the optimal shot for our team. The Davisons also make copies of our games and deliver them to houses for any parent that wants a copy."

"We have used Tim’s videos to break down other teams as well as to help inform the instruction of our girls," he wrote. "Sarah has the insight that only longevity can bring as she has been helping keep the varsity book at volleyball matches through the tenure of the past four head volleyball coaches at Granville. I am unsure what year she started helping, but I think that puts her in the range of the early 2000s if not earlier."

The couple’s efforts don’t stop on the court or the ball diamond. Sarah texts the birthdays of the players on their birth date and makes Senior Night programs for the girls and parents and get flowers for the girls at the banquet. And Tim makes videos of the banquets.

Rotarian Dave Rutledge, whose daughter participated in GHS sports, said, "Anyone who has had a daughter participate in volleyball, basketball or softball over the last 25 years knows what a special couple they are."

He dated their contributions to as far back as 1996. "I would add that the softball team that year was 0-18 — lost every single game. Yet Tim and Sara never missed a game."

"Tim and Sarah have been giving their time, money, and energy to Granville athletics for decades," Schneider summarized. "Through many sports and a turnover of countless different head coaches their commitment to Granville Athletics is unwavering. They do it all with grace, humility and integrity and never ask for anything in return."

The Davisons and Gibbs expressed gratitude for winning the honor. Being a longtime Granville resident, Tim Davison said he remembers Dr. Avery. "To be categorized in the same ballpark as him is a huge honor," he said, calling the opportunity to work with GHS female athletes "opportunity to share in the lives of some terrific people."

Adding that his father, grandfather and step-father were all Rotarians and past club presidents, Davision said, "On a personal level I’d like to think that all those folks in my life are proud of what we’ve accomplished and that we’ve received this award."

Gibbs credited family and friends for the success of the Michael Dean Gibbs Foundation and his other work.

"Nothing I have done is on my own. Nothing," he said. "I have a wonderful wife who really drives the ship. I’ve got tremendous friends that have guided me along this way. Thank you to all of you guys for your help and support."

To Rotarians, he added, "You’re all Rotarians. You all give in your own way. To be able to stand in front of you to receive this award means a lot."