OxfordPress.com

HAMILTON — Supports to Encourage Low-income Families, or SELF, took time to give thanks and recognition to community supporters with its 13th Annual Awards Program.

Rupert Boneham, the $1 million American Tribal Council winner of CBS's "Survivor: All Stars," gave an entertaining keynote address on "Surviving Everyday Life to the Fullest," Boneham urged an audience of the Butler County's politicians, business and government leader and everyday folks to get behind organizations that help make the community a better place during the event Friday night, March 27, in the banquet center of Vora Technology Park in Hamilton.

"Both elements are here," he said of Butler County, "the helpers and the people who need help."

SELF assists low-income families in five Butler County communities become self-sufficient, spokeswoman Kim Weigel said at the event.

Bill and Casey Daubenmire have used the organization's financial literacy program and purchased their own home. It's a feat they never thought possible because of the bad credit between them. The young couple now own a two-story brick home in Middletown.

"Our community is very fortunate to have an organization like this," Bill Daubenmire, 35, told the audience.

He and Casey, 32, have even been able to share their experiences and knowledge of saving money with others in the program, Weigel said.

Perhaps the most anticipated portion of the program was the announcing of the Janet Clemmons SELF Community Service Award.

Bill Teets won the award for his work with Living Water Ministry, a Hamilton group whose neighborhood outreach building he helped to renovate after a fire. Teets, 73, of Lebanon, used his building skills to maintain the building, which houses youth programs and has offered home repair services to low-income residents.

As he accepted his award, he jabbed, "I try to keep what I do quiet, but people talk." Teets was notified of his nomination after becoming critically ill with pancreatitis.

The other nominees were Barbara Condo, of Fairfield; Tavie Gunneson and Tina Jones of Hamilton; and Tammy Rosenbaum of Middletown.

It was difficult for SELF staff to select a winner, said board President and Monroe Councilwoman Suzi Rubin. But Teets came out on top, in part, due to his commitment to work outside of his hometown.

"Every change you make, even though it may be far from home, it still helps," Rubin said.