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By Clark Curtis,  For the Washington Daily News

Bishop Samuel Jones and his wife Mother Regina Jones of the Purpose of God Annex, are recipients of the 2023 Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was established in 2015 by former President, George W. Bush, in order for citizens to be recognized who have made major differences within their communities and around the world. “Those who we acknowledge with this award have gone above and beyond,” said Dr. Beverly Kee, executive director of Premiere Coalition Partners Association, the certifying organization for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award Program. “It is not about the title, how high up you are on the food chain, but your humanitarian spirit and your heart. It gives me personal pleasure to bestow this honor and open the world up to the knowledge of these individuals who are making major differences in this country.”

The Jones’ established The Purpose of God Annex Outreach Center in 1999, and have continued for the last 24 years to serve and help disadvantaged or at-risk adults, youth, and their families of all colors through their many programs. They serve those in Washington as well as ten other communities in the surrounding area. “I told my wife I would rather have an extra day of sleep than to receive another award,” Bishop Jones said with a smile. “I am grateful to God that my work has not been in vain. That someone has recognized it and understands that we are genuine and not doing it for any special privileges. An award such as this just inspires me to work harder. But in the end this is not about me. We are doing it because it is the will of God who has entrusted us to do something for Him, which is to help and serve others.”

Added Mother Jones, “I’m very excited that we have been recognized for our work in this part of the state, which is often overlooked. “Through our work we want to be a mouthpiece for the Kingdom of God, and let folks know that God has a hand in everything that we do.”

The Jones’ were nominated by several individuals, which included a longtime friend, Bishop Marcus Miller. “I had told a friend of mine about their work, and through her contacts, we were able to approach Premiere Coalition Partners Association and offered the opportunity to nominate the Jones’ for the award,” said Bishop Miller. “I don’t want to take any credit for having been a part of the nominating process. I’m just glad I was able to be an instrument to bring attention to their tenacious work in the community. They have always been consistent with what they have been doing, and through a lot of hard work have been very successful and are well deserving of this award.”

The nominees go through an extensive vetting process by former presidential award recipients and community leaders. Among the criteria is that the nominees must have spent thousands of hours in their community giving back, making a difference, and an impactful change.

The Jones’ join a great list of honorees which include Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes North, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher, the honorable Julian Bond, the Isley Brothers, North Carolina Central University Chancellor, Johnson O. Akinleye, and NBA star Dr. Dwayne Wade, Sr., to name just a few. “In reviewing their recommendation, there was one that stood out to me about their consistency and that is all I needed to hear. That individual said, “It is never about self, it is always about someone else. No problem is too small for them to attack and whatever the problem, lack of food, homelessness, regardless of what is needed, they are on the tracks making that run for whomever is in need. That is what is so impressive about them and their work.”

On October 7th the Jones’ will be honored at a ceremony to be held at the new student center on the campus of North Carolina Central University, in Durham. They will receive a letter from President Biden, the Lifetime Achievement Award , a presidential lapel pin allowing others to know they represent the President of the United States, and the Presidential Gold Medallion.