Herbert Blackmon was an educator and coach for 35 years. Before that, he was drafted into the Army in 1970 and served in the Vietnam War. Needless to say, Blackmon knows a thing or two about service. He retired from education in 2012 and started volunteering with the Selma Area Food Bank in 2013. Blackmon is also the CEO of the Five Points Community Development Center, where he works with the food bank in gathering the necessary food items for the people in the community.

“I just love serving,” he said. “I saw that there was a big need, so I took on this task.”

Blackmon said Vietnam taught him a life-long lesson about service and its importance.

“I learned that anytime you do something for people they really enjoy it, and it puts a smile on their face,” he said.

Getting those smiles and words of gratification are special to Blackmon, and he said they make it all worth it.

When he is not busy volunteering he is serving as the clerk and superintendent of the Siloam Baptist Church in Orrville.

Jeff Harrison, executive director of the Selma Area Food Bank, said Blackmon is a great example of selflessness. He said Blackmon comes in with a smile on his face and is always ready to encourage and uplift the team of volunteers.

“He’s always right there in front of the pack, leading the charge to get our volunteers motivated,” Harrison said. “With his coaching background, he’s really good at motivating.”

The volunteers form an assembly line while packing the food bags, and as the bag travels down the line, each person places a food item in it.  Blackmon stands at the end of the line motivating and encouraging the volunteers as they work together to get the job done. After the bags are filled they are then delivered to different rural neighborhoods to people in need.

“[Blackmon] is always out front looking for any opportunity to help the people of Dallas County,” Harrison said.