MOUNT VERNON — A small but enthusiastic crowd gathered Thursday evening in the Great Room at the Mount Vernon Developmental Center to dine, enjoy a silent auction and pay tribute to Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s longtime, now former, president, Dr. E. LeBron Fairbanks.

Fairbanks and his wife, Anne, recently moved to Florida but returned to Ohio’s cold and snow for the eighth annual Hearts of Gold dinner and auction. Virginia Wasserman, director of The Children’s Connection, started off the evening with humor by saying, “Dr. Fairbanks does have an ‘in’ with God because it’s not snowing tonight.”

Many tables loaded with donated silent auction items were popular gathering spots for the crowd, who enthusiastically placed bids and kept watch over chosen items. Proceeds from the auction benefit the YMCA and TCC (formerly Big Brothers Big Sisters). Appetizers were made by the young people participating in the TCC youth program.

Hearts of Gold, said Gail Lyall of TCC, was created to recognize citizens who have made significant contributions to the community, and as a fund-raiser for TCC and the YMCA.

The Rev. Irwin Jennings gave the invocation and said, “We give thanks for the ministry of The Children’s Connection and the YMCA, for the lives they touch every day. We especially give thanks for the person we honor, who braved the cold to be here with us tonight.”

Melanie Bolender, president of TCC’s board of directors, mentioned Fairbanks’ commitment to servant leadership, and said, “The Children’s Connection would be hard-pressed for volunteers if not for MVNU. Dr. Fairbanks does not ‘force’ his students to go out and do these things, but he has always modeled servant leadership to his students throughout the years.”

Bolender related that Fairbanks had humbly declined when first approached about the award.

Bolender closed by addressing Fairbanks: “On behalf of The Children’s Connection and this community, thank you for your contributions.”

Mark Ramser of the YMCA board said, “LeBron chose to become involved in the Mount Vernon community” and added, “His leadership, scholarship and good humor will be missed.” Ramser told the crowd of the contributions of Anne Fairbanks and her involvement with students, and said the couple will celebrate their 45th year of marriage in 2007.

After a standing ovation, Fairbanks went to the podium and thanked the crowd.

“Any contribution I have made to this community,” he said, “pales in comparison to the benefit I have received from rubbing shoulders with the giants in this community.

“Tonight, I receive this recognition on behalf of MVNU and its students, who serve in quiet ways. I’m among friends here tonight and you have honored me by coming out here on a cold evening and showing support for these agencies. Thank you.”