Jim North

North to receive Impact Award

Staff report
Retired Jefferson middle school teacher Jim North has been chosen as the recipient of this year’s Greene County Community Impact Award, the award committee announced Sunday.

The award honors an individual or individuals whose impact on Greene County residents is easily recognized.

“Jim North has been a leader in Greene County for years,” said Mary Weaver, a spokeswoman for the award committee. “It is only fitting that Jim and his work through the Webb House be recognized. His work has had an impact on youth throughout the county.”

It’s been 20 years since North and a group of visionary youth and adult volunteers established the original Webb House as a safe and fun place for Greene County youth to gather.

The Webb House — which exists solely on donations — has grown from a basement gathering place to a remodeled house on South Wilson Avenue.

“People really, really believe in a place like this,” North told The Jefferson Herald in 2015.

According to the award committee, “Jim has given generously of his time and talents recruiting adults and youth to make the Webb House a centerpiece of the community and county youth activities.”

North taught language arts for 38 years — all in the same room — at the middle school in Jefferson.

He maintains a constant presence at the Webb House, which caters primarily to junior high schoolers.

“I just want the kids to have a good time,” North told the Herald.

Besides his work with the Webb House, North is active in his church, is a substitute teacher, is on the board of the Sierra Community Theatre and he’s a familiar sight doing yard work around the community — often with youth he has hired.

The Greene County Community Impact Award was created in 2010.

Past recipients include Lawrence Geisler, the Town and Country Band, Carson Griffith, Vickie and Tim Robbins, Doug Hawn, Alice Walters and Mary Weaver.

North and the Webb House will be honored May 7 in a ceremony at 3 p.m. in the rotunda of the Greene County courthouse.

The program will include speakers, music and refreshments.

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