ORLANDO, Fla. – Brian Smith, Salvation Army volunteer and master sergeant, is this week's News 6 Getting Results Award winner.
Each day, Smith is at The Salvation Army of Orange County, where he volunteers over 1,800 hours a year to help the less fortunate.
Smith, a former felon who was once homeless and addicted to alcohol and drugs, said the organization saved his life.
"The Salvation Army has truly given me a new way of life, shown me the relationship with Jesus Christ and what we do in our community," he said while preparing meals for the less fortunate. "I had no place to live. I was sleeping on the sidewalks. I was sleeping by the lake. I was sleeping in abandoned houses."
Smith said once he found the Salvation Army 14 years ago, and he has not consumed drugs or alcohol since.
Now, he's devoted his life to giving back.
Director of volunteer services, Octavio Serrano, nominated Smith for the award. He said Smith stands out because of his commitment.
"Brian is here every single day," Serrano said. "Brian is a very special individual. He's humble. He doesn't get any credit for this. He does it out of the goodness of his heart."
Every Saturday morning Smith, Serrano and a handful of other volunteers make ham and cheese sandwiches to give out in neighborhoods around Orlando. Once they're done wrapping them, the group piles into a bus and sets off for The Palms Trailer Park on Orange Blossom Trail. It's their first stop, and a neighborhood Smith knows well because he used to live there.
"I was doing the wrong thing when I was here," he said between reading Bible verses to the small crowd gathered around a card table piled high with donated clothes. "Now, I return with ministry. It's the change in life that God has given me."
Residents like Cheryl Knight look forward to his weekly visits. She said Smith is an inspiration.
"I'm going through my own struggles," she said. "To hear his story and know he's doing better helps me know life will get better."