Getting Golden

Randy Davis is in his golden era.

Davis, a longtime Jay County pastor and founder of A Better Life – Brianna’s Hope, will be honored with the Golden Hoosier award Sept. 24 at the Indiana Statehouse.

According to Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch’s website, the Golden Hoosier Award acknowledges and recognizes outstanding seniors for their lifetime of service to their communities. 

Davis is the second Jay County resident in the last two years to be honored with the state award, which is the highest honor given to a senior citizen by the state for helping fellow residents and bettering their communities. Carol Smith — she started the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Asbury United Methodist 34 years ago — earned the Golden Hoosier title in 2022. 

“I’m extremely excited and humbled,” said Davis. “I’m trying to grasp the words … it’s recognition of my passion of people, my life. I have always been a people-person — it’s not an award that you can truly seek, thus it’s an honor to be recognized (as) someone who cares about their community and the people that live in it.”

Davis’ contributions to the community include his time in ministry — he worked as a pastor for 35 years before “retiring,” although he continues to fill in as needed at various churches in the community — and launching local nonprofit organization A Better Life – Brianna’s Hope in 2014. The organization started as a faith-based addiction support group and has grown in the last decade to encompass 25 counties in Indiana and four counties in Ohio. (As of Monday, Davis was coordinating efforts to launch a new group in Dunreith, just southwest of New Castle.)

On behalf of Brianna’s Hope, Davis joined other recovery organizations at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., last week. An event coordinated by the national nonprofit Voices for Non-Opioid Choices, recovery groups lobbied and met with legislators to share their stories.

“That was a special opportunity, it wasn’t anything I ever dreamed of,” Davis said.

Nearly three years ago, Davis launched “Faith In Your Recovery,” a podcast focused on “all things recovery.”

Listeners have tuned in from across the world to hear addiction and recovery stories.

The podcast fits in with Davis’ initial calling — he studied broadcasting at Ball State University in the late 1960s. The show has featured those from all walks of life. Davis recently interviewed 11 inmates at Jay County Jail as a part of the podcast’s Jailhouse Recovery, which is intended to share the voices of those who are incarcerated in relation to drug use. Davis plans to interview more individuals at the jail in November.

His efforts have been recognized at the state level in other divisions recently as well. He was inducted into Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame in November for his military service achievements and community contributions. Davis served about 18 months in the U.S. Army starting in 1970, undergoing training before working in Frankfurt, Germany, as a finance specialist and assistant to the non-commissioned officer in charge.

In the 2010s, Davis raised around $250,000 to give McDonald’s gift cards to veterans across the state as a part of a veteran advocacy project. (The effort earned him the nickname “McRandy.”)

Among other community activities, Davis has also been involved with substitute teaching, coaching middle school sports and announcing high school sports events.

Brianna’s Hope administrative assistant Gina Raines nominated Davis for LifeStream Services’ Golden Hoosier award earlier this year. Davis was named a recipient of the organization’s award in July, and LifeStream Services president and CEO Jennifer Hamilton then nominated Davis for the Golden Hoosier award at the state level.

In her nomination letter, Raines pointed to Davis’ contributions as a pastor and veteran and as a leader for Brianna’s Hope.

“Randy's exceptional dedication to serving others, his profound impact on our community, and his unwavering commitment to uplifting individuals in need make him an outstanding candidate for this prestigious recognition,” said Raines in her letter.

Davis will attend a reception with Hamilton and guests Sept. 24 at the Indiana Statehouse where he will be recognized for his efforts.

“It couldn’t have been done without the support and involvement and encouragement of so many people in the community and beyond,” he said. “I’ve had all kinds of cheerleaders and supporters that have just helped make a major difference.”