The late Chester Freeman’s commitment to community and service became the source of an annual award by the Cullman Lions Club 10 years ago.

That tradition continued this week when the Lions named Deborah and Danny McAfee as the 2013 recipients of the Chester Freeman Service To Others Award.

In a recent ceremony at TP Country Club, Lions member Jim Howard said Freeman would have been proud of the efforts the McAfees have made on behalf of the community.

Several areas of service by the couple were noted by Howard, but he focused at one point on the family’s role in enabling the City of Cullman to purchase the property of Evelyn Burrow, Deborah’s aunt, for parks and recreation use. The area is now designated as the home for the future Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.

“Now for the rest of the story,” Howard said. “All the funds received from the sale of this property have been given back to the community. CRMC’s Refresh-A-Room campaign received a big boost by these funds, and the entire west wing of the hospital, except the maternity area, will be redone and named the Burrow wing. H.O.P.E. (Horses Offering People Encouragement) received funds, too, as did Cullman First Baptist Church.”

Deborah McAfee has been active in the Share Club, Good Samaritan Health Clinic, Ladies Guild of the CRMC Foundation, the Cullman County Hospice Board, and many other local organizations.

Danny McAfee has served on the CRMC Foundation since 1986, and has served as president and co-chairman of the Golden Window Campaign (renovation of CRMC’s emergency room), and is currently chairman of the Refresh-A-Room campaign. He has also served on the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, the Farmers Market Board and, with his wife, hosted the CRMC Gala.

During the awards banquet. Lions President Steve Cartee noted that the club had provided more than $85,000 to the Alabama Sight program, CRMC, Cullman Caring for Kids, and other local organizations.

Other award recipients included Hilda Freeman, Lioness of the Year, and David Bussman, Lion of the Year.