The East Texas Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America is set to honor Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt with its Distinguished Citizen Good Turn Award at a luncheon Friday.

Stoudt was selected because of his significant impact on East Texas, said Boy Scout Financial Director Hank Googe.

"Judge Stoudt has done a lot for this community and really goes out of his way to help many of the nonprofit agencies in this part of the state," Googe said.

"We just wanted to take an opportunity to recognize him for all he's done."

Stoudt was one of the founders of the Great Texas Balloon Race and the Boys and Girls Club of Gregg County. In addition to serving as the county's top elected administrator, he is a trustee of the Centurion Club and a member of the Rotary Club.

"We've pretty much filled up the room with his friends and colleagues," Googe said. "So, even though this event is a fundraiser for the Boy Scouts, we're not selling any more tickets."

The luncheon will be at Pinecrest Country Club. Proceeds from the event will support Scouting programs in 17 East Texas counties.

Stoudt said he is humbled and honored by the award.

"I'm very grateful that they selected me," Stoudt said. "This community has a lot of wonderful volunteers who are very dedicated to making Gregg County a better place to live, so I know there must have been a lot of possibilities."

Stoudt said does his best to reach out to other elected officials, volunteer leaders and business owners to make good things happen for the entire community.

Stoudt was a Cub Scout, but never a Boy Scout.