In recent years, Meridian businessman Tommy Dulaney has received a number of honors — accepting each with great humbleness.

So it is no surprise that he responded to his most recent recognition, Meridian Junior Auxiliary’s Humanitarian of the Year Award, with humility.

“Meridian keeps adding to the debt I owe,” Dulaney said. “I’m touched by this award; I wasn’t expecting it.”

The local service organization presented Dulaney with a plaque to commemorate the award during a press conference today. He will be honored during the annual Junior Auxiliary Ball on Dec. 30.

“The Humanitarian Award is given to a person who has given tirelessly to the betterment of our community,” said Stacy Davis, president of the local auxiliary. “We especially recognize those individuals who place special emphasis on children.”

Potential honorees are nominated by present and past Junior Auxiliary members and voted on by the club’s membership.

Dulaney was born in Louisville in 1939, but he has lived in Meridian since 18 months old.

A graduate of Meridian High School, he attended Meridian Junior College. Dulaney is president and CEO of Structural Steel Services Inc., which he founded in 1975.

He is a member of the following boards: Mississippi Power Company, The Riley Foundation, Meridian Community College Board of Trustees, MCC Foundation, Meridian Little Theatre, Mississippi Manufacturers Association, Mississippi Economic Council, Hope Village for Children, Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center, Governor’s Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal, the Alabama-Mississippi WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) Project, East Mississippi Business Development Corp. and several other boards affiliated with his business.

Dulaney has served on several other boards, including Lauderdale Economic Development Authority, Meridian Rotary Club, Meridian Symphony Association, Meridian Downtown Club, Meridian/Lauderdale County Partnership, Aldersgate Retirement Community and the Choctaw Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

He has received many awards for his work in the community, including Alumnus of the Year, Meridian Community College; Hartly D. Peavey Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence; Sam Walton Business Leader Award; MCC Philanthropist of the Year; MCC Hall of Fame; Honorary chairman, Art for Heart; Glen S. Deweese Community Spirit Award, The Meridian Star’s Citizen of the Year; and the Distinguished Citizens Award, Choctaw Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

“Mr. Dulaney gives an enormous amount of time and effort into bettering our community,” wrote his nominator, whose name will remain a secret.

“His company is a major sponsor of many charitable organizations, including Junior Auxiliary of Meridian. Most of all, Mr. Dulaney is a kind-hearted individual who truly cares about the future of his hometown and of the children growing up here in Meridian. He epitomizes what a humanitarian should be.”

Dulaney joins an impressive list of Humanitarian Award recipients, including: Cheri Barry, executive director of the Key Chapter, American Red Cross; State Rep. Charles Young; Betty Lou Jones; two-time Emmy award-winning actress and Meridian native Sela Ward; Ricky Hood, director of the Boys and Girls Club; and Mac Barnes, head football coach at Lamar High School.

“I’m deeply honored to be recognized in this way. This community has been so good to me,” the proud honoree said.

“We live in a good community with caring people. Meridian has made a lot of strides in recent years, and it is because of the hard work and dedication of the people who live here.”