Golden Deeds recipient works ‘under the radar’ to help the community

The year’s recipient of the Book of Golden Deeds Award, Keley Simpson, is described as someone “simply consumed with helping others” and does most of her work out of the spotlight.

Simpson received the Fort Smith Noon Exchange Club’s highest honor during the 81st annual Book of Golden Deeds Banquet held March 8 at Hardscrabble Country Club in Fort Smith.

The Book of Golden Deeds honors local citizens for their good deeds and contributions to the community. FSNE Club names an honoree each year, based on nominations sent in by its membership and from the community. The Book of Golden Deeds is the longest running National Exchange Club program, having begun in Indiana in 1919. The Fort Smith Noon Exchange Club presented its first award in 1942.

Nominated by Philip Merry, Harry Robinson and Mike Thames, Simpson, missions facilitator at First Presbyterian Church, was described as an individual who operates “under the radar” and “helps scores of others have a better life.” The Noon Exchange Club said Simpson truly embodies the spirit of the award. Through her role at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Smith, Simpson has developed and led innovative mission programs that have positively impacted the community.

“I am completely grateful for this (recognition). I do tend to work under the radar. I was raised with humility at the cornerstone of everything,” Simpson said. “I feel everyone should be doing something for their community, for those around them.”

Simpson routinely coordinates services for individuals seeking assistance of all kinds, including through the church’s Changing Lanes program. The fair car loan program offers low-income clients the opportunity to purchase reliable transportation at a reasonable interest rate from a reputable, local car dealer. Simpson also works with agencies to give families access to housing, healthy foods, and various services they need. She also helps oversee many of the church’s outreach and mission programs that span the community and beyond.

“She moves about in search of those who need help. Then she helps them, trains them, educates them toward immediate relief and long-term solutions. She helps people ‘change lanes!’ She helps people go from no reliable transportation to ownership of their own vehicle so that they can report to work on time each day,” Merry said.

She does all of this without seeking or even accepting recognition for what she does, he said.

Born and raised in Fort Smith, Simpson has helped “scores” of people with her help and assistance always provided confidentially, he said.

“Keley Simpson is one of the most outstanding servant hearted people on the face of the planet,” Robinson said.

Simpson said she was raised that where you start in life doesn’t dictate where you go in life.

“You can come from humble beginnings, but that does not mean you have to stay there,” Simpson said. “I think that is something I try to put into (the Changing Lanes) program. We want to empower people, give a hand up, not a hand out.”

Prior to her current role, Simpson was program director for sexual assault and domestic violence services at the Donald W. Reynolds Crisis Intervention Center and Investigator for Crime Victims Reparation at the Office of the Attorney General. She also serves on the Future Fort Smith Committee and is a board member for three area nonprofits. She is also a master gardener. She received the Spirit of Service Award by Fort Smith Mayor George McGill in March 2021.

The Fort Smith Noon Exchange Club is a civic organization working to make the community a better place to live through programs of community service and the organization’s national project, the prevention of child abuse. Fort Smith Noon Exchange Club has been active in the region for 99 years and is an affiliate of the National Exchange Club.