Lee receives Mary Morris Award
Chris Pepple |
Lipscomb alumnus Jon Lee (’95) received the Mary Morris Award for Exemplary Service to Society during the 2008 Service Day chapel program. This award was established to honor and exemplify Morris’ life. Her pursuit to make a difference in the world through service to others has affected all of her friends and family, as well as the entire Lipscomb community. Morris was an associate professor of education and founder of the Center for Character Development at Lipscomb University. She died Sept, 30, 2005, after a lengthy battle with colon cancer.
The award is given annually to a member of the Lipscomb “family” who demonstrates a high level of service to the community and the church and who:
• exhibits a spirit of volunteerism in his or her life activities.
• engages in meaningful civic activities in the community that help spread God’s light,
• has demonstrated a commitment to Christian missions wherever they may be,
• is an advocate for Lipscomb University and
• exhibits vision in creating new avenues to expand Christian principles in unconventional ways.
Jon Lee, a business major with an emphasis in organizational communications, oversees the operations for The Living Water Project, a nonprofit effort to fund clean and accessible water for people in impoverished areas of the world. Founder Shanon Dickerson saw the project come to life in 2000 after he challenged a group of friends to join him in raising money to dig wells in Africa and India. Dickerson’s mission work brought to his attention the needless deaths of thousands of people who lack clean water. When Dickerson died in 2002 due to a rare form of cancer, Lee took the reigns of The Living Water Project.
“Shanon’s hope for this project was too wonderful to let go. He realized he could make a difference in thousands of lives, and I wanted to help carry on his legacy,” said Lee, data and research manager for Corporate Board Member magazine and former admissions counselor for Lipscomb University.
Lee saw firsthand the need for clean water when he traveled to Kenya on a mission trip with Otter Creek Church of Christ. The Living Water Project constructed their first well on land owned by the Made in the Streets ministry. The well provides irrigation for their crops and a small income for their ministry. Lee saw the first well built and knew other needs could be met.
The Living Water Project is a nonprofit effort to fund clean and accessible water for people in impoverished areas of the world.
“We work through local missionaries and churches to determine the need of the community and find a fit for our project. We use local contractors to do the work so we can contribute to the economy in the region. We still place banners or markers at each location in memory of Shanon. It is his hope that started all of this. The Living Water Project runs from a 100% volunteer staff with no overhead expenses. All donations go entirely to meeting the needs of thousands of people who live without clean water,” said Lee.
Two wells have already been built in Kenya. Three wells have been constructed in India, and one well has just been completed in Haiti. Future plans include wells in Tanzania, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Uganda and Chad or Sudan, as well as continuing work in Kenya. Around $6000 is needed for each well project. For more information, visit The Living Water Project’s website at www.thelivingwaterproject.us.
“I am honored to win the Mary Morris Award,” said Lee. “I had the privilege of spending time with her during the last few months of her life. She was so positive during that time. Both Mary and Shanon worked so hard even when they knew their time was limited. They stayed focused and left us all a legacy of service.”