We don’t like handouts. Charity is not our priority. If we did not work for it, we will do without it. For those who cannot do for themselves, we approve of seeing them get assistance.
For all those reasons, Clinch Valley Community Action and a host of cooperative local agencies are welcome members of Four Seasons Country. Few organizations have done more to help Tazewell, Russell, and Buchanan Counties than CVCA.
Some 400 friends turned out Thursday to say “thanks” and share in the fun of a 45th anniversary celebration at Nuckolls Hall on the Tazewell County Fairgrounds. From the little Head Start children to a few people who are almost as old as I am, all assembled were happy to be part of the event. One of the most respected agency groups, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), received high praise from everyone.
It was (and always has been) a wonderful mixture of every social level.
From Richmond, with Mr. Jim Schuyler, the head of the state Community Action Partnership, to Washington, with a note from Rep. Rick Boucher, and nearly every community on the Virginia side, the helpers and some of the helpless were all together and enjoying the common bond of sharing an appreciation for what CVCA has done.
It was terrific to see Mr. Don Neal honored by the agency. He is one of the finest gentleman in Four Seasons Country and a long-time operator of Bluefield Monument Company. Mr. Neal’s great heart and generosity are truly monuments of “monumental” proportions. As a gesture of appreciation by the agency, the CVCA building on Riverside Drive will now be known as the Donald E. Neal Building. He donated time, money, energy, encouragement and prayer (not necessarily in that order) to help get the job done of securing and improving that facility. Along with Curtis Gillespie, those two were saluted for their efforts not only at the main building but also at Camp Joy on Rt. 19-460 near Springville.
It was fun as always to see two of my best friends, Bill Allison and Eli Jones, at the ceremony. Bill has done more for the area through his direction of the jobs programs at CVCA and his work with the local fire and rescue organizations than almost anyone I can imagine. He is always willing to help. Equally impressive, Bill and the staff are always in the training business. They work to give people skills to enter the work force. There are no handouts — the emphasis is always on learning to get a full-time job. That is as it should be.
Mr. Jones was agency director for more than 30 years, is a supremely honest person, and has a strong desire to make the lives of those around him better. He remains so dedicated to doing a good job, no matter what. I admire him very much and still wish I had as impressive a signature as he does!
Of course, I went to school (Bluefield College) with current Executive Director Chris Thompson. She has taken the agency to new heights in these times of increasing requirements and accountability while somehow maintaining her ever-present smile.
Chris mentioned that CVCA could not do nearly as much, for instance, without help from groups like the United Way of the Virginias. She is a great “cooperator” and able to bring ideas together. One of her great talents is to make solutions appear to be available. She can make a difficult task seem easier to achieve and is always eager to give other people credit.
The weatherization program, directed by Doug Sheets, is one of the best programs the agency has. There are about a dozen workers, and the program is one of the highest-rated in Virginia. The employees work — and work hard — repairing windows, assisting with heating and wiring concerns for the elderly and needy, and doing a host of other jobs to improve the quality of life for persons who simply cannot do it for themselves. Every single one of them is proud to help others.
Yes, we have a troubled economy. There are times we could become discouraged. Yet when we take time to think of the many civic, church, and community groups, including CVCA, whose members really do care about those of us in need.
Clinch Valley Community Action — we are proud to know ya!
Larry Hypes is a teacher at Tazewell High School and a columnist for the Daily Telegraph.
Columns
May 22, 2010
A hand up, not a hand out, is Clinch Valley Community Action hallmark
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