Dean commends service

Azle’s Community Caring Center will feed a record 14,000 people this year. Arthur Lang said that only by the “grace of God” – and a small band of volunteer “angels” – is this possible.

Lang and his wife Charlene, co-directors for Azle’s largest food pantry, paid tribute to those volunteers at the CCC’s 9th Annual Angel Banquet held Nov. 17 at A&M Gardens.

Guest speaker was Jody Dean, a man with 35 years experience in broadcast journalism and a familiar voice – and face – to many the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Dean began his broadcast career in 1973 with WBAP-TV. He is currently the stadium announcer for the Dallas Cowboys and hosts the morning show on KLUV-FM 98.6.

Dean is also a devout Christian – a character trait that allowed him to fit right in with the Christian-based audience attending the banquet.

Dean, always outspoken, has not been afraid to speak his mind on the subject. He’s even written a book, Finding God in the Evening News, which largely concerns the application of Christian viewpoints to the endless stream of unfortunate events that appear on the news.

Dean said he has a special appreciation for service organization volunteers like those serving at the CCC. He said Christians are called to serve.

“We’re all in the service business – some of us just don’t answer the bell when it rings,” he said.

Dean said he understands the difficulties from serving an often ungrateful constituency at area food banks.

“Sometimes they bite the hand that feeds them,” he said.

And thus, oftentimes, volunteers might feel unappreciated, he said.

But that’s the way it goes when following a service oriented life dictated by Christian principles, he said. After all, Jesus hung on a cross for those who openly hurt and ridiculed him.

Dean said he’s found out late in life that its important put one’s life in perspective.

He said performing on radio and TV isn’t his life – it’s his job. Serving others is a Christian’s true “living.”

That’s why he respects the volunteers at the CCC.

Dean said you can’t measure yourself in victories on this earth.