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By Jeanna Baxter White

Word Master Media Group

Dr. Joel Edwards knows about healthy living.

And he’s helped scores of Davie residents reach their goal of living healthier, and with the addition of The Park at Lake Louise that was his brainchild, will continue to positively affect the health of Davie residents.

At the Davie Chamber of Commerce awards breakfast last week, Edwards was awarded the 2021 E.C. Tatum Humanitarian Award.

It was Kathy Crews, daughter of E.C. Tatum. Chuck Taylor, executive director of the United Way of Davie, gave remarks.

“Quality is measured by the values that a body of people hold dear. In Davie County, we hold dear that a person of quality is one who exemplifies the character, persona, and values of a former person of distinction in our beloved community, Mr. E. C. Tatum. Mr. Tatum personified a commitment to our community for over 35 years through financial developments, humanitarian efforts, and community development,” said Taylor.

“Today we honor Dr. Joel Edwards, a man whose love for others clearly represents the type of person that we want to hold high for years to come and who has built a legacy for others to follow.

“We saw a clear and decided devotion to the health and well-being of others. A service to not only the people of Davie County but to places that do not have quite so rich the opportunities afforded us here.

“We witnessed an intentional financial commitment to enhance the quality of life for our residents. These enhancements stem from this person’s personal expense and with no expectation for remuneration, or better said, ‘doing good for the sake of good itself.’ In an age when investments happen only when there is a good return on my money this type of generosity shines like a beacon in the night,” said Taylor.

“Moreover, we saw wisdom on display for several local non-profits to ensure the quality of service exceeded the expectations of clients and donors. Even when faced with personal health struggles, like cancer, we witnessed an enhanced regimen of healthy living to battle these maladies.”

He went on to list Edwards’ many humanitarian contributions to the community.

He has been an ardent volunteer for The Storehouse for Jesus, The Davie Community Foundation, Novant Health, Truist Bank, and his home church 1st United Methodist in Mocksville. He has helped on over 30 medical mission trips to Honduras.

Moreover, he is a financial contributor to SmartStart of Davie County, Ignite Davie, Family Promise, the YMCA, Just Hope, Davie Community Foundation, the Storehouse for Jesus, MS Society, Novant Foundation, Carolina Honduras Foundation, Haiti’s Wings of Hope, United Way of Davie County, and has given considerable amounts of his time helping provide medical care to people facing emergencies or just needing assistance.

And he and his wife, Beth, have converted a portion of the now Colin Creek Golf Club into what is now the Park at Lake Louise.

“They have done this at their own expense solely because they understand the value of healthy living and want others to fully enjoy the gift of life.”

“Dr. Joel Edwards is most certainly the definition of a humanitarian and Davie County is proud to call him ours.”