Dr. Jenkins honored for his volunteer service

Through his actions, James Jenkins, D.D.S., a professor at the UNMC College of Dentistry, is all about helping his fellow man.

Dr. Jenkins has helped thousands of people access much needed dental care through his volunteer service. This service includes the Nebraska Mission of Mercy, a program he helped bring to Nebraska in 2005; his outreach to villagers in Haiti and Honduras; and underserved men, women and children in Lincoln and across the state through his work at People’s City Mission, Clinic with a Heart, Project Homeless Connect, and the UNMC College of Dentistry’s dental SHARING Clinic and Children’s Dental Day events.

His service was recognized Sept. 16 when he received the Woody Varner Award from The Lighthouse organization, an after-school program for middle and high school at-risk youth in Lincoln.

“Jim is a very, very worthy recipient,” said Pete Allman, who co-founded The Lighthouse program in 1990 with his wife Maureen and friend Jim Perry.

“What he’s given back to the community to make it a better place, what he’s done to help those in need, those are the qualities we look for in a person to give the award to,” Allman said.

The award is named for Durwood B. “Woody” Varner, the former chancellor and president of the University of Nebraska, who believed in giving back to one’s community.

Dr. Jenkins emulates that same belief and has been a strong supporter of The Lighthouse, Allman said.

“It was really, really nice of them to give me the award,” Dr. Jenkins said. “Helping those less fortunate is part of our mission at the College of Dentistry and I really enjoy doing what I can to help The Lighthouse. It’s just a great program.”

Dr. Jenkins first became involved with The Lighthouse when Allman, a fraternity brother, approached him about getting Raw Nerve, (a rock and soul band comprised mostly of dentists in which Dr. Jenkins performs), to play at their first fundraiser.

Since then, Dr. Jenkins has been involved in helping contribute to their capital campaign events for the past 20 years.

Dr. Jenkins said supporting The Lighthouse offered him the opportunity to serve others in a way that was different than what he does through his dental outreach.

“It’s so important to promote positive things in the community that give youth the guidance, mentoring and support they need to be successful,” he said.