By Steffen Klenk
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson presented the 35th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Spirit Award to Atlantic City residents Charles and Augusta Garrett. The award, which honors residents who exemplify Dr. King’s principles through community involvement, was presented during an Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners meeting.
With his wife at his side, Charles spoke to attendees at Tuesday’s meeting. “This award is really humbling,” he said. “Martin Luther King was one of my heroes. I’ve tried to mimic who he was in the way I treat people and conduct myself.”
Charles is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam, previously served as assistant facilities manager at Atlantic City Rail Terminal and deputy public safety director of the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority. He currently works as community relations manager for the South Jersey Transportation Authority and serves as a board member for the Atlantic County Veterans Museum Foundation.
Augusta, his wife of 23 years, is the founder of the Civics Association United of Atlantic City and serves as secretary and treasurer at the Atlantic County Free Public Library. Last year, she received the Fannie Lou Hamer Award.
