DTOC 2012 Friend Of Youth Award Announced

At today’s meeting of the Downtown Optimist Club of Meridian, Trey Long was announced as this year’s recipient of the Annual DTOC Friend Of Youth Award. Trey was recognized for the amazing work that he does helping children through the I John 3:17 and Wesley House organizations.

Trey first got active in his community service efforts three years ago when he jumped at the opportunity to raise funds and then guide the creation of a playground to be built next door to the Wesley House offices. The “Playground for Jesus” as it is named has become a huge success with the neighborhood providing a safe area for children to gather and play together. That effort spawned two more annual efforts with a basketball clinic held in the summer time and an arts education day where children come to the playground and make their very own art projects.

Not long after the initial development of the playground, Trey wanted to do more and he took inspiration from the scripture found in I John 3:17 which states: “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” and he created the I John 3:17 organization to raise local funds on a weekly basis to meet needs that cannot be met by the Wesley House. In the past three years, not a single week has gone by where the need expressed has not been met.

For all his efforts in supporting his community and rallying his community to a cause, the DTOC is proud to award Trey Long the 2012 Friend Of Youth Award. The Award included a $250 donation by the DTOC to the charity of Trey’s choice.