Editor's note: Several members of the Richmond community were honored at the 2017 State of the City event in July for their dedication to community service. This community spotlight is part of a series that will highlight the award winners who have helped make a difference in the city of Richmond. To view other stories in this series, click here. 

When Robert Hodge was growing up in Richmond, he was fortunate enough to have community leaders look after him and other boys his age. Now, as an active member of the community working at Sandy McGee's downtown, serving as a deacon at the Church of the Living God, and orchestrating community events, Hodge said it is his time to be an example.

“I had men in the community that came out and were there [for me]," Hodge said. “We don’t have that anymore very much—men taking time to talk to and help young men.”

It was those men who kept the neighborhood gym open late to stay and play basketball and the men who took Hodge to swimming lessons who he said changed his life. Hodge said community is important to him because it shaped who he is today. Now he is just trying to return the favor.

Also known as the “waiter that prays,” Hodge said he is a familiar face around Richmond. He started a parade known as the Walk for Christ more than 10 years ago, but due to rising temperatures in the summers, Hodge changed the walk from a parade to an indoor event called Community Awareness Day.

“It was just [a] walk [to] let people know that Christ is still alive,” Hodge said. “I started out with a banner of butcher paper and it really grew [from that].”

Now, every first Saturday in August, Hodge and other community leaders gather at the First Baptist Gym to promote harmony within the community with children’s games, demonstrations from the fire department and police station, speeches from the mayor and local influencers, food and music.

“It’s a community day where everyone celebrates being together and letting people know what’s going on,” Hodge said. “I have people that come out and take blood pressure [and offer other free health services], and vendors and local businesses come, too.”

Even though Hodge is responsible for the entire event, he said Community Awareness Day is successful because of the support he receives from donors and other people in the community, namely Mayor Evalyn Moore and Dee Koch of the George Foundation.

After a decade of working in the community, Hodge was honored with the Community Spirit Award at the Richmond State of the City in June. It was his first time being formally honored by the city.

“I do it to glorify God; whatever I do is for His glory,” Hodge said. “And [to] help people, helping the community. If you want to live a better quality of life, help somebody else live a better quality of life.”

This year’s Community Awareness Day will be held Aug. 5 at the First Baptist Gym.