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Elders are recognized for giving back to the community
"Dorothy was passionate about the Hall of Fame. She really believed in senior volunteerism," says Gail Sutler, director of nursing for the Chesterfield Health District and chair of the Hall of Fame Committee. Sutler helped Charles establish the Hall of Fame, and has maintained it since Charles' death in 2005 at the age of 97. This year, the Senior Hall of Fame turns 25. In honor of that milestone, "We're bringing it all up a notch. We're polishing the silver," says Sutler. Nominees and inductees were chosen by a selection committee that included Pat Cifelli, Bill Collie, Gail Feind, Debbie Leidheiser and Pearl Thomas. The group identified six nominees and three inductees for the 2007 Chesterfield County Senior Hall of Fame. Virginia T. Cates, EMT, was nominated for her ongoing commitment to the Ettrick Matoaca Volunteer Rescue Squad. George R. Dunkum was described as a "one man facilities engineer" for his work with two rescue squads in Manchester. Linwood S. Matthews does it all - from fixing ambulances to raising funds - for the Forest View Rescue Squad. Nancy Parnell's tireless efforts with the new Chester post office mitigated a dangerous traffic situation affecting 30,000 people. For 20 years, Baxter Perkinson Sr. organized the annual Veteran's Day ceremony at the old Chesterfield County Courthouse. Robert Turner counsels families at CJW Medical Center's Medical Surgical Waiting Room on the Chippenham campus.
All winners were recognized at a luncheon earlier this month. The three inductees will be presented to the board of supervisors, and their names will be etched on a plaque that hangs in the lobby of the County Administration Building. "We're on our third plaque," says Sutler, with pride in the Chesterfield County Senior Hall of Fame's quarter century of service.
Blanche A. Castelow Alzheimer's Association When her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and her mother developed a different type of dementia, Blanche A. Castelow knew she had to do something to save her own sanity. She began to volunteer at the Alzheimer's Association's Greater Richmond chapter, answering the association's hotline. That was almost 15 years ago. Today, she's been there longer than any staff member. There's hardly a job Castelow hasn't done for the association. "She is always willing to go the extra mile to help the Alzheimer's Association," says Sherry E. Peterson, the association's CEO and Castelow's nominator. Support group facilitator, chapter board member, public policy committee chair, national Public Policy Forum attendee, Memory Walk participant, speaker's bureau member - Castelow has done it all. Volunteering keeps her going, says Castelow, a Chester homemaker and caregiver. "There are some mornings I wouldn't get out of bed if they weren't expecting me at the office." (Although, she admits, "Sometimes I get uppity and take a week off.") In addition to her work with the Alzheimer's Association, Castelow volunteers with the Lucy Corr Village Auxiliary. She's also active with the Stephen Ministry at Chester United Methodist Church, among other volunteer commitments. Castelow is fairly matter-of-fact about her impressive volunteer track record. "You have to take what you've learned the hard way - and try to help other people," she says. Betty Clapp Hands Across the Lake When Betty Clapp, Ed.D., retired 22 years ago, she could have quietly disappeared in the background. Instead, she became an advocate for the Swift Creek Reservoir. "Her involvement will ensure that the reservoir will remain safe and useable as a resource for years to come," says Supervisor Art Warren and Deputy County Administrator Pete Stith Jr., who nominated her for the award. Clapp, a mother of five and grandmother of seven, lives in Brandermill. She had a successful career as a public school and university teacher and counselor before joining forces with Hands Across the Lake. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to preserving the county's water resources, particularly the Swift Creek Reservoir. Given Chesterfield's explosive growth, Hands Across the Lake has literally had its hands full, and while the group is not always successful in its efforts to reduce the effect of development on the county's water supply, it perseveres just the same. That prompts Clapp to share a word of wisdom. If she's learned one thing over the years, it's this: "When you're dealing with projects of this magnitude, it's an ongoing thing." Clapp also finds time to volunteer with the Brandermill Community Association and the 360 Corridor Committee. As a member of the Lucy Corry Village Foundation Arts Committee, she helps beautify the halls there for residents, volunteers and visitors. Reflecting on her induction into the Senior Hall of Fame, Clapp says, "The volunteer movement is a powerful one. I meet people everyday who are giving incredible amounts of time and energy. Volunteers do terrific work in this county." Shirley A. Hudson Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother Sixteen hundred families - more than 5,500 needy individuals - have reason to be grateful for Shirley A. Hudson. As a volunteer with the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother Program, Hudson helps make sure that the organization fulfills its mission "that no child be without gifts, no elderly person be forgotten and no family in our area be without food on Christmas." Hudson's responsibilities are decidedly unfestive. Working behind the scenes, the retired executive secretary pays the organization's bills, files reports with the state, receives donations and writes thank-you notes. Dona Link, secretary and co-treasurer, was Hudson's nominator. Hudson, who has two children and one grandchild, is also a docent for the Chesterfield Historical Society. She leads tours of Magnolia Grange, assists with meetings and receptions, answers the phone and staffs the gift shop. Hudson was treasurer of Providence United Methodist Church for 28 years, during which time the church's budget grew from $75,000 to $342,000. She continues to volunteer with Providence's retirees club. Earlier this year, she wrote the church's history in celebration of Providence's 200th anniversary. "I love all the volunteering I do. I was blessed by so much. I've tried to give back to my community," she says. |
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Holiday Celebrations 2008
Fall & Winter Guide 2008-09
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