TIFTON — It has been said “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Penny Chesnut puts these words into action every day. For that reason, and many more, Chesnut was recently honored with the 66th Annual Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds Award, according to a  press release.

The Book of Golden Deeds Award is a national project of the Exchange Club that recognizes dedicated volunteers who give endless hours of their time and talents toward making their communities better places to live. The Golden Deeds award is the longest running project of the Exchange Club of Tifton. The Tifton award was renamed in honor of longtime chairperson Helen Rainer, who passed away in 2013.

“Miss Penny,” as she is known to so many, has been the Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) director at ABAC for over 30 years. In this position, she holds weekly meetings, plans mission trips, hosts Bible studies and spends time talking with students. But the calling Miss Penny has to serve goes much farther than just a job position.

One nomination letter received said, “She gives unselfishly, serves unconditionally and works diligently. She puts others needs, wants and desires above her own in every situation.” Chesnut goes above and beyond, often meeting with students early in the morning or staying late into the evening, giving of her personal time to meet a need.

“Miss Penny” has impacted the lives of thousands of students during her time at ABAC. She doesn’t stay within the walls of the BCM. She has been a mother, counselor, mentor and friend to any student on campus who may need a little extra comfort or someone to talk to. Chesnut makes sure that international students have a local family to share a holiday meal with when they can’t travel home. She has provided food for families who have little and bought meals for students who needed a little help. She has even been there for faculty and staff who have faced an unexpected crisis.

The dedication to service that “Miss Penny” has reaches far beyond the ABAC campus. She seeks to impact this community, and beyond, and instills that same passion in her students. She takes groups of students to assist at Red Cross shelters during hurricane evacuations, help with Manna Drop at Charles Spencer and lead various camps and retreats at churches around the community.

People know they can count on “Miss Penny” because she has proven time after time that she will be there. She lives a life of sacrifice and service, teaching that life is more about giving than receiving. She passes these things onto the students she works with.

Chesnut pours her life into her students and community. She has allowed many students to live in her own home when they faced some kind of struggle, the release states. She gives of her personal time with her family to make sure her students are taken care of, whether it is with a meal or someone to talk to. “Miss Penny” is generous with her time and money and is accepting of all, no matter the circumstance.

“Her work in our community has shaped countless young lives in to who they are today,” read another nomination letter. “She is leaving a great legacy.”

You will never find “Miss Penny” without a smile and an encouraging word. She is welcoming to all those she meets, whether a student at ABAC or a person she encounters at the store. Her heart and her hands are always open.

Penny is married to Charles and they have two children, Ashley and TJ. When not at ABAC, she teaches college Sunday School and assists with the AWANA Children’s ministry at Northside Baptist Church.

Miss Penny loves the Lord and knows that is she is loved by the Lord. Because of this love, she seeks to love all people and point anyway she meets to Christ each day. Her love and passion are contagious. She does all these things, not to be recognized, but to reflect Christ in everything she does. These are the reasons that so many agreed no one is more deserving of this year’s Golden Deeds Award.

Coordinators of the 66th awarding of the Book of Golden Deeds Award were Betty Cromer and Regenia Wells. Tyron Spearman, past president of the Exchange Club of Tifton, recognized the 65 previous recipients. Also in attendance at the annual banquet were several former recipients of the award.