By Amy Moore

The News staff writer

If “only what you have done for Christ will be counted in the end,” the tally of what Fabiola Small has done will be a high number.

The lyric, sung by Dwight Wagner, was only one of the inspired comments made in honor of Small’s dedicated service to the community.

The 65-year-old Port Arthur woman was honored Thursday for her work on last year’s Make A Difference Day and the plethora of volunteer duties she performs throughout the city each day.

“Only God takes the least and gives the best. There’s no other way I could have come through,” Small told the crowded sanctuary at Seventh Street Baptist Church. “Remember, do not neglect to do good. God remembers the sacrifices we make.”

Small, a petite woman who volunteers her time to several organizations, including Woodmen of the World, Port Arthur Weed and Seed and her own nonprofit group, received one of 10 $10,000 checks from USA Weekend Magazine and Newman’s Own Foundation for her efforts on Make A Difference Day. Small organized dozens of volunteers to deliver meals to the elderly, give free immunizations to those in need, handout informational pamphlets on HIV/AIDS and domestic violence and clean up streets in Port Arthur.

“This award is not just for me, it’s for all of us,” Small said. “Everyone in this room has a uniqueness in them. God has put some awesome people in my life.”

Four of those awesome people are Small’s own children, The Rev. Joshua Como, Michelle Isinovea Guy, Jacqueline Marie Fontenot and Whitney Como III, who presented their mother with roses and a plaque for her unconditional love for the people around her.

“Mom always told us to give thanks and we want to give her these flowers now, not when she’s gone to heaven,” Guy said through tears. “We don’t mind sharing our mother (with the community) because there is so much love in her heart to give.”

Small’s volunteer work began over 30 years ago when a friend encouraged her to get out and do good for someone else. She took the advice and has changed many lives in the past three decades.

Now she will change the lives of young football players. Small chose to donate her $10,00 check to the Port Arthur Jr. Bees, a Pop Warner Football League.

“You have done what no one in the community has done for this organization,” Jr. Bees League President Brad Coleman said. “We have struggled for years and this is going to help us. This is awesome. It took one person to show the love to give to this organization.”

The only request Small had from the football players was this:

“I want to see some action Jackson,” she said enthusiastically.