Ten years ago, Damon West, a Port Arthur native and Port Neches resident, former football star, was arrested in Dallas and sentenced to 65 years in prison for committing property crimes to support his drug habit, according to his website.

However, he calls his arrest as being rescued.

Shortly afterward, he reconnected with his family and his faith while incarcerated. He also enrolled in a 12-step recovery program in prison.

He won his appeal the first time and left prison on Nov. 16, 2015 with 58 years of parole.

He now works at the Provost Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont and he does inspirational speeches around the country to students and athletes on the dangers of drugs and the consequences of bad decisions.

Consequently, West was named the 2017 Aurora Golden Triangle Sertoma Club Service To Mankind Award recipient. The ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8 at Benton’s (formerly the Pompano) at 330 Twin City Highway in Port Neches. RSVP to Genie West at windwest1@juno.com or 409-718-8618. Dinner costs $26.

“I’m completely humbled by this honor,” West said. “You look at the past recipients such as Walter Umphrey and Esther Benoit who are pillars of society and for me to be named, I’m blown away.”

He said he invited all the friends and family he could think of to the ceremony because so many helped him along the way.

“God opened the door for me and I want to bring as many as possible who have helped,” he said.

Jodie Wood, president of the Aurora Golden Triangle Sertoma Club, said the award originated in 1954. Sertoma, likewise, started in 1912.

“It’s nice to bestow our highest award to a non-Sertoman member who’s making a difference in the community,” Wood said. “He spoke to our club before. I suggested he tell his story. After listening to him making a difference in young peoples’ lives, I said ‘I think we’ve found our Sertoman of the Year.’ It’s quite an honor.

“We’re very excited about this event and we’re excited to have Damon. He deserves it.”

Genie West, his mother, said her son has had a long journey.

“He worked very hard and he’s very motivated,” she said.