The couple received the 2012 Outstanding Philanthropist Awards from the Association of Fundraising Professionals California Valley Chapter during the organization's annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon, this year on November 8 in Fresno.
The AFP citation reads, in part:
In August 2012, Ted and Joyce Smith donated their 4,536-square-foot custom home as the residence for Fresno Pacific University presidents and their families. The home sits on more than an acre just three miles from the main FPU campus in Southeast Fresno. The property includes expansive gardens, a horse corral and barn, a pond and a guest house.
The Smiths wholeheartedly believe the donation of their home to Fresno Pacific University is a way for it to continue to be used for good in the community, and they are joyful to share their good fortune with others.
Fresno Pacific University President Pete Menjares, Ph.D., foresees Ted and Joyce Smith's home as becoming the center of university activity, being used for ministry to students, faculty and staff as well as university events, dinner parties and to accommodate visiting lecturers.
Ted, a local business leader and former owner of TSE Brakes, Inc., and wife Joyce are natives of Fresno. They spent their lives serving the community by investing in the lives of others. The Smiths are founding members of Clovis Evangelical Free Church, and have a passion for mission efforts and supporting international college students.
The Smiths have a family foundation that focuses on philanthropy and volunteerism.
Charity Brown, FPU director of alumni relations, nominated the Smiths. The California Valley Chapter is one of one of 230 chapters of the Association of Fundraising Professionals worldwide. AFP was founded in 1960 and has 30,000 members.