A capacity audience experienced the real meaning of “brotherhood’’ Sunday afternoon at the Waycross Hebrew Congregation Synagogue when Clay Thomas was honored with the “Morris Jacobson Award,’’ an honor gleaming with a multitude of accomplishments he has achieved.
The 48-year-old Waycross civic and church leader was celebrated as “the epitome of what brotherhood is all about; he is a perfect choice for this award highlighting ‘National Brotherhood Week,’” said Ronnie Jacobson of the Waycross Hebrew Congregation, one of the narrators for the occasion.
“This honoree has given selflessly to the community that he loves,” he said. “Many of his acts of kindness involve children with handicaps, but this person is a champion for all people who are disadvantaged, less fortunate or have disabilities.’’
Jacobson noted, “There are countless random acts of kindness and charity that this person is responsible for. Some of these acts are incredible, but he would truly be embarrassed if they were shared. This person has done none of these things in hopes of accolades.’’
The annual award is named in honor of Jacobson’s late grandfather, a Latvian immigrant who established a family clothing store in Waycross and sowed the seeds of brotherhood as few people have.
The golden plaque for Thomas glistened as he accepted the engraved honor from Jacobson. In return, a tearful, but most appreciative honoree said, “I’m the luckiest guy in town. I know it is easy to love the lovable people, but difficult to love the unlovable people.’’
Thomas recognized his family — wife Brooke, son Banner, daughter Neeley and his mother, Gloria Thomas. He praised his wife commenting, “I am thankful for her moral compass and her passion for teaching children of special needs.’’
He also thanked his business partner and the Jacobson family for “their heritage as the family has meant a lot to me for a long time.’’ His own family memories include the closeness with his grandfather, the late Tom Gattis, a well-known community leader. There were the times when he fished with his grandfather, only to give the fish to people who needed them.
The honoree’s accomplishments were described, some of which include Miracle League of the Okefenokee, Magnolia House, Okefenokee Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Kenny McCarthy Scholarship, and Camp Reveille at Laura Walker State Park. Thomas and his family worship at Blackshear First Baptist Church, where he and his wife teach Sunday School and he is involved with the “In His Image Ministry’’ designed for children with disabilities.
Thomas, a graduate of Mercer University, has been an interim pastor for several area churches as well as a city commissioner, served on the YMCA board of directors, been president of Waycross Jaycees and Waycross- Ware County Chamber of Commerce. He is a graduate and supporter of the Leadership Waycross Program and been a Leadership Waycross graduation speaker.
Thomas has served on numerous Mercer boards and began a scholarship for students in financial need. He also helped fund and train a service dog for the Roberts Academy School for Dyslexia at Mercer.
Vic Drawdy, of the Waycross Hebrew Congregation, described the life of the award’s namesake. Most interesting, he told how Jacobson came to the United States at age 16 and obtained a horse and wagon in Cairo, Ga., to launch his life of serving others.
Jacobson came to Waycross in 1922 with his wife, Marie. “Honesty and brotherhood led to his helping others,” Drawdy said. “He never refused credit to his customers while he operated Jacobson’s Clothing Store in Waycross for many years.”
His family recalled that he loved to see the smiles on children’s faces when they wore the new shoes he gave them.
“We applaud the spirit Morris Jacobson left,” Drawdy said. “We honor good Samaritans of the community like Morris Jacobson.”
The audience applauded speaker Rabbi Rich Luskin of Atlanta who said, “Make things better than how we find them. Be confident and give of yourself.” Rabbi Luskin has served as worship leader of Waycross Hebrew Temple Congregation for the past few years.
The Rev. Dr. Bill Young, pastor of Sweat Memorial Baptist Church, also addressed the gathering, saying, “Brotherhood begins with the fatherhood of God. We have the same Father. Make a list of all the people you know and you will say ‘yes’ I will help my brother.”
