Published: April 24, 2008 07:34 am         

Exchange Club honors Reagans with Book of Golden Deeds award

Dictionary.com defines "good" as morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious. "Deed" is defined as an act or gesture, especially as illustrative of intentions, one's character, or the like. Put them together and you have good deeds, and those cannot go unnoticed.

The Exchange Club's Book of Golden Deeds award recognizes dedicated hometown heroes who give endless hours of their time and talents toward making their communities better places to live. This year's Book of Golden Deeds award goes to Ralph and Connie Reagan, the founders of the Bread of Life Ministry.

"Connie is like my mom. I never had a mom growing up," Jim Young, office manager of the Bread of Life, said at the Book of Golden Deeds awards banquet held March 28 at Forte's Restaurant.

One recurring theme with the speakers is the fact that Connie is like a mother to those who are at the Bread of Life. In fact, her nickname is "Big Mama." If anyone needed a hug, they were pointed in Connie's direction.

Randy York, chairman of the Bread of Life mission, said, "The mission [of the Bread of Life] is truly a mission field, it is sometimes frustrating. But Ralph never gave up. He lived on the fact that Jesus Christ never gave up on him."

According to York, there have been nearly 2,000 salvations at the Bread of Life since its inception in 2001.

"The Bread of Life is a house of love," Dean Orr, past board member, said. "I have nothing but the greatest admiration as I do for Ralph and Connie."

Upon receiving the award, Ralph said, "God spoke to my heart clearly as to what my mission was to be. I pray that God keeps the Bread of Life going. This award goes to Him above all."

He also told the audience that he has written a book and that it will be out in mid-April. All proceeds from that book will go to the Bread of Life building fund, which has already begun with the acquisition and clearing of property on 4th St.

Randall Reagan also spoke on behalf of his parents.

"I'd do anything I could to be with my dad," he said. "I hope I will put the same work ethic in my family as my dad put in his."

The "Miracle on 4th Street" is stretching out beyond the current 4th Street chapel.

"If you've never been around Ralph and Connie, you're missing something special," York said.

The Exchange Club is the oldest civic organization in Crossville. The national group is 80 years old. The Exchange Club of Huntington, IN, first sponsored the Book of Golden Deeds award in 1919. Since then, thousands of unsung heroes and heroines have been recognized. The Book of Golden Deeds award exemplifies the National Exchange Club's beliefs of "implanting the life-giving, society-building spirit of service and comradeships in social and business relationships, and to