For the past several years, across the railroad tracks on ZetusRoad, a garden has grown and community members needing food havebeen able to pick turnips, mustards and peas. The garden did notsprout itself, but required the countless hours of labor of Charlesand Susie Cupit to yield food that provides hope to less fortunatefamilies.

The community garden was just one of many services the husbandand wife team has provided through the years to help those in need,and their service to others was recognized Friday evening as theywere named the 2010 Golden Deeds Award recipients at the ExchangeClub of Brookhaven’s 64th annual Golden Deeds Banquet.

“It has been said that every good man has a good woman and everygood woman has a good man,” said Harold Gary, who presented theaward. “They are giants in their community.”

As Gary continued his speech, he pointed out additional hugefeats the Cupits have played a major role in accomplishing. Thepresenter noted the couple’s activity in helping to provide a newhome for a disabled woman and her sick husband. Charles Cupitcoordinated the workers and helped supply materials as Susie Cupitmade sure the workers had something to fuel their bodies as theyrebuilt two lives.

Gary went on to say that the couple has also helped supplyhundreds of Bibles for foreign missionaries, provided dozer workfor those in need and have assisted in bringing parents to theirchurch.

“If there is a need in the community, if they hear of a need inthe community, these small giants make sure that need is metwithout most people knowing they did it,” said Gary.

As the banquet shines a light on those that often go unnoticed,the Cupits think it is they who are really rewarded in theirservice to others.

“It makes you feel good to help others,” said Charles Cupit.”It’s just something you just do.”

Susie Cupit continued her husband’s thoughts.

“The things we’ve done, we’re the ones that get the blessing,”she said. “It makes your heart feel good.”

Continuing to be of service to others and not asking foranything in return ensued until the point their names wereeventually announced in the dining hall at the Thames ConferenceCenter on the campus of Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Charles and Susie Cupit attended the banquet under the notionthat Charles Cupit’s sister, Betsy Coker, was being honored on theprestigious night.

“I think you have to drive home, I don’t think I can,” saidSusie Cupit to her husband, still in awe nearly 30 minutes afterreceiving the award. “I’m still shaking.”

Joining previous award recipients, Charles and Susie Cupit’snames will be forever etched into the club’s Book of Golden Deedsto be recognized for their service within the community. However,they were not the only ones who took home a piece of hardware.

While the winner of the Golden Deeds Award is selected by acommittee from a pool of applicants submitted by the public, theJohn L. Leary Award goes to the club member who best exemplifiesthe spirit of Exchange.

This year’s John L. Leary Award went to Jim Heard.

“You know, we don’t have a goal in the Exchange Club; we justkeep on going,” said Heard. “We’re not going to have a goal as longas someone out there needs our help.”