Lee McWaters made a deal with the 10- and 11-year-olds on the soccer team he coached at St. George's Day School.

He would allow them to skip running sprints for one practice if they volunteered to pick up trash at the Youth Villages 5K Run.

Fifteen years later, his dedication to that cause is still going strong, and Youth Villages has recognized his hard work by recently awarding McWaters its 11th annual Lion Heart Award. McWaters is the managing broker at McWaters and Associates and a member of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors, which has avidly supported the race for 24 years.

It was through MAAR that McWaters got involved.

'Compassion for everyone'

After several years of running, McWaters began volunteering, first on the cleanup crew and then passing out water to other runners.

He soon began coordinating fund-raising efforts with MAAR, and in 2003 and 2004, he became chair of the Youth Villages 5K Run/Walk sponsorship committee, where he achieved the best fund-raising results in the event's 24-year history.

McWaters credits his parents with his altruistic nature. The real estate company he owns was founded by his mother, Louise, and includes in its mission statement "compassion for everyone."

It could seem an unusual goal for a real estate firm, but it's part of McWaters' personal creed.

"It's important to me to give back to the community," he said. "It's about recognizing someone in need and getting in there to help."

McWaters does his part, and not just with Youth Villages. For 20 years, he and his father have delivered MIFA meals every Friday to the homebound elderly.

"He's one of the good guys," said Marler Stone, director of community relations at Youth Villages.

McWaters doesn't see himself as the hero many others do.

"It's a tremendous honor to receive this award," he said, "but the awards should go to those working at Youth Villages. The children they work with have been forgotten. The community has given up on them, but Youth Villages hasn't."

In the limelight

Youth Villages has about 1,100 children in its care on any given day, in residential facilities, foster and adoptive homes, and in the outreach program, in which counselors visit the children in their own homes.

"We help children who have experienced serious trauma," said Deeana Blackledge, the organization's director of public relations. "These kids need our help to grow up to be successful adults."

McWaters said he believes the work Youth Villages does to rehabilitate its charges benefits the community in the long run.

"When the kids leave youth Villages, they have been brought back to society," he said. "Then they become productive citizens who want to give back."

McWaters volunteers so much of his time to make sure all the children at Youth Villages have such a chance.

"When it comes to the kids, he just won't quit," Stone said. "It is something to see."

Youth Villages noticed McWaters' commitment, and by honoring him with the Lion Heart Award, the staff made sure the Memphis community could see as well.