The Exchange Club of Albany presented the Book of Golden Deeds Award to a lady known well for her service to the Southwest Georgia community.

Michele Bateman received the prestigious award from the Exchange Club in 2020. Chairman of the Book of Golden Deeds Barney Knighton says that Bateman joins a long line of distinguished men and women in Southwest Georgia that have served their community and been awarded this honor.

Bateman was awarded due to her service and many accolades. As a member and past President of the Junior Woman's Club, Bateman had the responsibility for the Lights of Love for the past 20 years. Bateman is a member and past President of the Thronateeska Foundation, the 2014 Honoree and continuing member and past President of Cancer Ties, Make a Wish Foundation Granter with over 25 wishes granted, United Way's Volunteer of the Year in 2008, a Girl Scout leader for 8 years, an Ambassador for the Albany Chamber of Commerce for the last 6 years, volunteer with "Quail Forever" for the past six year, the recipient of the Jefferson Award in 2018 presented by WXFL/Fox31 for her work with "Make a Wish" and "Cancer Ties", a volunteer with Albany Mall Fashion Board for 12 years, a volunteer for the "Back the Blue" run, a volunteer for the "Albany Pink" walk and a volunteer for Relay for Life.

While doing the above she fought and defeated cancer herself. Knighton says, it is people like Ms. Bateman that make Southwest Georgia an important and viable part of Georgia.

Knighton says that 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 any Exchange Club. The Book of Golden Deeds Award exemplifies The National Exchange Club’s beliefs.

When searching for the appropriate volunteer to honor, keep in mind that it is important to choose a person who is sincere about helping the community, has an exceptional track record of continued, unselfish giving and enjoys volunteering to help others. The recipient can be from any profession or a member of any organization, including Exchange. He or she can be from any walk of life, and should be someone who deserves acclaim, but rarely receives it.

The Book of Golden Deeds Award is not limited to a single volunteer, but can also be presented to a group of individuals such as civic groups, sororities/fraternities, religious groups and charitable organizations.