PORT ARTHUR — The Aurora Sertoma will present the Service to Mankind award award to Norris Simon Jr. at a banquet at 6:30 p.m Thursday, March 18, at the Pompano Club, 330 Twin City Highway in Port Neches.

The Service To Mankind award is Sertoma's number one recognition award for a volunteer who does not hold membership in a Sertoma Club.  A committee appointed by the club President chooses a recipient based on the amount of service provided by the volunteer to the community.

Aurora Sertoma’s Service to Mankind recipient is a true asset to his community. Simon is devoted to his family and his church, but also gives unselfishly to the development and progress of the city of his birth, a press release from the club about the award said.

Norris has been a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1980, joining while living in Louisiana. While there he rose to the level of 4th Degree Knight which is the highest attainable level. For three years he served as Grand Knight of that council. During that time, Norris and his family were chosen as Family of the Year which is a much cherished accolade.

After moving back home to Texas, he continued his work with the KCs and was again elected Grand Knight serving in that position for three years. He has held all offices within the organization numerous times both in Louisiana and Texas. He serves on the committee that cooks and sells dinners year round for the KCs. Almost every Friday night you will find Norris at the KC Hall helping to fry shrimp and fish dinners as a fundraisers for the KCs.

Norris has served on the Mardi Gras Southeast Texas Board of Directors for the past 10 years. He has also served on the float committee for Mardi Gras since 1994 and now chairs that committee. He and his wife, Peggy, have been royalty  for the Majestic Krewe of Aurora since 1996.

Norris is a Past President of Groves Rotary. As a Rotarian, he chaired their annual shrimp fry for scholarships and their annual gumbo to aid senior citizens. He also volunteers to collect toys for needy children, is a member of the International Seaman’s Center Board of Directors and was appointed by the Mayor to serve as Planning and Zoning Commissioner for the city.

As a member of his church, he has served on the Parish Council for the past five years; four of them as Council President. Additionally, he is on the building committee for the church, is chair of the annual church bazaar for the past four years and chairs the monthly barbecue chicken sale in the spring of every year. Norris is also an altar server and lector for his church.

A Life Scout Honoree, Norris is an avid deer and duck hunter. He has belonged to Ducks Unlimited for the past 15 years, is a Bronze Sponsor and serves on several committees.

Norris and Peggy have been married for 38 years and have two grown children, Celeste and Deke, one son-in-law, Lonnie, and two grandchildren, Madeleine and Vincent. He is president and co-owner of SIMCO Enterprises. His company has been one of the club sponsors of the Annual Hughen Center benefit for many years.

Aurora Sertoma said it is very proud to honor Simon as their Service to Mankind Recipient for 2009 because he never has to be asked to work, he just volunteers when and where he is needed. Norris is truly a volunteer at heart lending a helping hand to those that need it most be it the numerous fundraising events assisting those fighting cancer or a grave illness. He also works with organizations such as Fresh Start.

Sertoma (Service To Mankind) is an international organization whose main focus is on speech and hearing disorders and freedom and democracy.  Sertoma International consists of more than 20,000 members.  Based in Kansas City, Missouri. The organization was founded on April 11, 1912.

Aurora Sertoma was Chartered on August 28, 2000.  Members reside in Mid County and South County.  Their main sponsorships are The Capland Center, The Hughen School and The Fetter's Center.