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WashCo United Way presents local awards
Inez Younge was given a plaque for her services as chairman of the 2007 UW Campaign, which brought in $558,292. Randy McKee announced that Ouida Caten was the cabinetmember recipient of the $2,440 "Night on the Town" award. Wayne Blackwell, chairman of the awards committee said that the people who will receive special awards are "...real heroes; those who make contributions in a humble manner never expecting (an) award." Memorial Award The first award was the Memorial Award given posthumously to an individual in recognition of outstanding volunteer and humanitarian service which left a lasting benefit to the citizens of Washington County.
He also related how Chaney had contributed through his service to St. Union Baptist Church. Richmond Chaney accepted the award for his father. Humanitarian Award The Humanitarian Award is given to a volunteer who over a period of five years or more, in several capacities, has served the citizens of Washington County in a humanitarian way. Dr. Paul Petcher presented this award to the Rev. Bobby Smith and his wife Betty. He told how for many years, though they both held down full-time jobs, the Smiths were on-call 24 hours a day as they operated Smith's Ambulance, the first and only ambulance service in Washington County for many years. Dr. Petcher emphasized that patients were never asked if they had the means to pay for ambulance transportation. The Rev. Smith has served a total of 17 churches in his years of ministry. In a light-hearted moment, he said, "I think Brother Bobby's (ambulance) driving probably made a bigger impression on people than what he said from the pulpit." Spirit Award This award is given to an individual who has a special attitude or frame of mind for assisting people in Washington County. This year's Spirit Award was presented to Harold Crouch, mayor of Chatom, and presented by his wife Belinda. Fighting to control her emotions, Belinda Crouch, told of her husband's attributes. She said that he always makes time for those who need him to answer questions or give advice. She has never seen him turn anyone away without trying to solve their problem. In addition to being Chatom's mayor since 1996, Crouch was a member of the Chatom Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, on the Washington County Industrial Development Board, active in United Way and Exceptional Children, and a fund-raiser for the athletic program at Washington County High School where he taught for many years. In his remarks, Crouch said, "I have tried to be of service not only to the town of Chatom, but to Washington County as a whole; because what is good for one of these is good for the other." Volunteer Awards These awards are given to an individual in recognition of exceptional volunteer service over the past year, to the citizens of Washington County. Chatom Lou Schell, representing the town of Chatom, was presented the volunteer award by her daughter, Kay Beech. Beech told of the many years, when her mother "rolled a piano down the halls of Chatom Elementary School" going into the classrooms to play and teach the children to sing all the special songs of childhood. "Miss Lou" continues to share her talent at the local nursing home, and she still goes to the elementary school to read stories to the children. She spoke of her mother's devotion to her church and how she bakes "sand tarts" to share with new people in town, as she visits the bedridden at home and in the hospital. Fruitdale Jean Williams was the presenter and Brian and Kim Gardner the recipients for the Fruitdale community. Williams told of how both these individuals who hold down fulltime jobs are also active in the Fruitdale Fire Department where they serve as first responders with that department. Williams said that the Gardners often "come out of their comfort zone to minister to people of our county." She told how Brian who works shifts has often answered as many as three calls in a day when he is on midnight shift trying to sleep. In addition to two full-time jobs, the Gardners have two children and they are both active at Fruitdale School where Kim is a leader in fund-raising and Brian volunteers with the football team. Leroy Jim Long of St. Stephens presented the Leroy area award to. Robert and Lola Grimes of St. Stephens. He spoke of the many ways this couple serve their community. Often when state tourism people visit the St. Stephens Historical Park, Lola Grimes is the person who is called upon to cook the meal. "We dazzle them with Mrs. Lola's cooking," Long said. In 2004, when the University of South Alabama held an archeology camp at the St. Stephens Site, it was Mrs. Lola who furnished several meals to the group. Robert serves as treasurer of the St. Stephens Historical Commission. They are active in their church, but they also actively and quietly go about serving their fellowman in numerous ways. Robert told of getting out at midnight during a freeze to go light pilot lights for heaters for two senior citizens in the St. Stephens community. Lola quipped, "They called 911 first and 911 called us!" Millry Betty Britton presented the volunteer award for Millry to Henry and Lois James. She spoke of their tireless efforts to the people of the Millry area and to their church, Chapel Hill Baptist in particular. Lois is part of a group of ladies who sew lap quilts, bibs and chair caddies for nursing home residents and the homebound. Then, they deliver them. Britton explained that Lois is always coming up with something new at their church. The latest thing is a two-ended pen: one end for writing notes to shut-ins and the other to use for making a phone call to them. Henry is the person who gets to the church to set the thermostat according to the weather. He also has a project where he collects used Sunday School literature and Bibles for distribution around the world. McIntosh The Rev. Ricky Turner presented the McIntosh award to Dr. LeBarron and Rena Byrd. Turner told of the many community organizations that Byrd serves with. They include McIntosh Indian Youth Group, Boy Scouts, volunteers for McIntosh football team, is on the board of DHR, on the board of the Reed's Chapel Association, Washington County Museum Board and several others. Rena Byrd's service is visiting the sick where she is constantly delivering food, fruit and juice. She is the musician for her church and active in the McIntosh Elementary PTO. At the end of the program, there was a brief business session where Mel Ann Sullivan presented a plaque of appreciation to Richmond Chaney for his two years' service as chairman of the UW Executive Committee.
New members coming on board for 2008 are Chase Black, Rhoda Anderson, Renee Beech and Chief Dwain Garrick.
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