Table Talk Ministries awarded national prize
GREENCASTLE -- Through Table Talk Ministries, the not-for-profit organization he founded, Bill Hudson helps many.
On Friday, he received some assistance to continue that mission.
Hudson was named a grand prize winner in Citgo Petroleum's "Fueling Good" campaign, and was awarded free gasoline for a year.
Table Talk provides home repairs and renovations free of charge to the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged. More than 15 state, federal and non-profit organizations refer projects to Table Talk -- and about 90 percent of those projects are funded by Hudson.
A humble Hudson accepted his award with grace.
"I appreciate this very much," he said. "We need all the help we can get."
According to information on the organization's Web site, Hudson "founded Table Talk in 2002 as a sole proprietorship, funding the ministry from his own pocket until 2006 when Table Talk was formed into a non-profit corporation with a 501c3 tax exempt status from the IRS."
"We're recognizing the good in communities like this one hero at a time," said Ron Chance, territory sales manager for Citgo.
Hudson works full-time as a truck driver, and also owns Trinity Woodworks and Trinity Renovation LLC. He also sits on a panel of home repair experts that answers home improvement questions via the Internet.
Hudson is a master craftsman with over 25 years of woodworking and construction experience, including residential contractor consultation.
The "Fueling Good" campaign "is coordinated by Citgo Petroleum to recognize and reward local acts of community support across the country," a release from Citgo said. "This prize will ensure that more needy individuals across Putnam County and the surrounding area can live in safe and comfortable conditions."
Table Talk was selected for the honor by voters across America.
The fact that Hudson was presented with his award on Friday -- the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. -- was not lost on those who attended the ceremony.
"This reminds us that evil can be replaced by good," said Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray. "I couldn't be more proud that we have people in our community who reach out and do very special things."
Chance encouraged others to submit stories of good deeds at www.fuelinggood.com
"That's how we find out about these projects," he said.