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Commercial Appeal Volunteerism Event 11/22/89 [OA 6344] [1]
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Commercial Appeal Volunteerism Event 11/22/89 [OA 6344] [1]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Speech Backup Chronological Files
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MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Backup Files
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Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13696
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13696-013
Folder Title:
Commercial Appeal Volunteerism Event 11/22/89 [OA 6344] [1]
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26
19
5
2
Date To 11/20 S.B. Time 5:20
To
S.B.
Date 11/20
Time 2:05
WHILE YOU WERE OUT
WHILE YOU WERE OUT
M many Alice Quinn
of
Comberc Appeal
M Henry Stokes
of
(901) 529-2375 Number Extension
Phone (901)529-2703
Phone
Area Code
Number
Extension
Area Code
TELEPHONED
PLEASE CALL
TELEPHONED
PLEASE CALL
CALLED TO SEE YOU
WILL CALL AGAIN
CALLED TO SEE YOU
WILL CALL AGAIN
WANTS TO SEE YOU
URGENT
WANTS TO SEE YOU
URGENT
RETURNED YOUR CALL
RETURNED YOUR CALL
X
Message
Message
Again
my
Operator
Any
AMPAD
AMPAD
EFFICIENCY®
23-023
CARBONLESS
EFFICIENCY@
23-023
CARBONLESS
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / June 22
et a house, a dog, a
The President. How many of your parents
The President. Well, listen. Good luck to
hter]-a wife, and a
were into drugs and made that problem
all of you.
I don't want nothing
horrible for the home front? Almost every-
Resident. I'd like to say thank you for
dog, a rabbit, and a
body. You didn't have it. You escaped that.
taking the time out of your busy schedule.
hat's all I want out of
Reverend Ritter. Or alcohol.
Resident. Yes.
the fun time is over.
The President. Substance abuse.
Resident. Yes.
ality.
Reverend Ritter. That would be almost
Resident. Nobody believed us when we
g else, too. They need
everybody.
called home to tell-[laughter]-President
for kids. There's a lot
Resident. Alcohol's a drug.
Bush is coming to Covenant House in New
are on drugs. And we
Reverend Ritter. That would be every-
York. They never believed this. And I really
body. There's no mystery, Mr. President,
appreciate that you took time.
why a kid leaves home.
they got rehabs. You
The President. I just admire Father Ritter
The President. In other words, there's
ant all this money. All
and what he's doing, and you guys for fight-
nothing-I mean, it's just the environment
n't got.
ing-
in the home.
Resident. We're doing the best we can.
Reverend Ritter. It's too painful to stay.
eeping on the streets
The President. trying to do some-
Dr. Lee. Father Ritter, could I just say
jail or prison or some-
thing. I hope you make it, all of you.
one thing? I want the President and Mrs.
lave the money. I was
Bush to come away with this: My one
ind a rehab that they
Note: The exchange began at 11:35 a.m.
thought is that no kid in this room and no
J. And they gave me
kid in Covenant House wants to be here.
Rev. Bruce Ritter is the executive director of
Covenant House. Dr. Burton Lee III is the
y sobriety. They gave
Not one kid ran to this life; they are run-
Physician to the President.
I use each and every
ning from another life. And the last thing is:
Whose children are they? Well, they're
t are you doing now?
Father Ritter's, and I feel they belong to
be?
me. And I know what President and Mrs.
become a chef, a culi-
Bush feel like.
Remarks at a Luncheon Hosted by the
Reverend Ritter. I'm getting all sorts of
New York Partnership and the
ou?
signals to sort of wrap this up and so forth.
Association for a Better New York in
till it's-you go to one
But let me just conclude by saying that my
New York City
aks Hospital or some-
kids have a number of things in common.
June 22, 1989
$18,000-$20,000. And
And that's how good they are and how
e a quarter in your
brave they are and how beautiful they are
Distinguished guests and ladies and gen-
ne call. Sure, they're
and how much they really want to make it
tlemen, Barbara and I appreciate this won-
[Laughter] We'll bill
back off the streets. Not many do unless
derful turnout, this generous reception; and
they receive the help that they need.
let me salute that magnificent film. And
the most important
And the fact that you and the First Lady
thank you, Ray, for putting it together. I
it of the-I speak also
came here today-you have no idea of how
just stopped choking up coming from Cov-
n New Orleans-is a
much hope you create in these kids. I can
enant House, and now I had to go through
ch that most kids
only say that to a street kid, hope is sort of
it again here at lunch. But it was a moving
a hand grenade in their heart. It's a very
call to action.
dangerous thing; they've been disappointed
What a few weeks it's been. Things are
so many times.
e them the self-confi-
moving on a lot of fronts. NATO-moving
Resident. All we need is for someone to
re and do what they
in the right direction. China-we're all very
help us. All we need is unity, because ev-
concerned about that. As I say, I just came
hroughout their lives,
erybody is all for themselves. I think the
from Covenant House, so I feel uplifted by
told they were no
world would be a much better place to live
that. And yesterday-if I might make a very
in if we just help each other out and love
personal observation before addressing
one another.
myself to the subject at hand, I want to
Resident. Be treated like human beings.
comment on the Supreme Court decision
e not their children.
Reverend Ritter. I'd like the President
about our flag. I understand the legal basis
und them, and every-
and the First Lady to go upstairs for just a
for that decision, and I respect the Supreme
at I mainly needed
moment and meet a couple of our really
Court. And as President of the United
ant House, and that's
special kids with AIDS. I know they're very
States, I will see that the law of the land is
anxious to greet you briefly.
fully supported. But I have to give you my
959
June 22 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
personal, emotional response. Flag-burning
coaching a little league ball team, helping
is wrong-dead wrong-and the flag of the
to build a community theater. And dating
United States is very, very special.
back to-way back to my days in New
It is indeed an honor to address the mem-
Haven, raising funds for the United Negro
bers and guests of the New York Partner-
College Fund. And I'm not going to give
ship and also the Association for a Better
you equal time because so many of you
New York. For already you've enriched
have done so much more.
fields from business and labor to education
We've all done these things, and as we
and the media. And we meet today to go
participated, we fulfilled ourselves, learning
still further, to join hands and link hearts, as
that we are not what we drive or where we
the film said, to light the American sky.
live or what kind of clothes we wear;
I begin with a single, simple statement:
There is no problem in America that is not
rather, learning that America's greatness
being solved somewhere. There is no prob-
rests on the goodness of her people. And
lem in America that is not being solved
these beliefs are beyond any individual;
somewhere-think of that. Today millions
they're timeless. Today more than ever, we
of Americans, the quiet Americans, the self-
need community service to help dropouts,
less Americans, are giving of their time and
pregnant teens, drug abusers, the homeless,
themselves. And they work at day-care cen-
AIDS victims, the hungry and illiterate.
ters and inner-city schools, homes for the
Often they are disadvantaged, and as their
elderly, anywhere there's a need, anytime
communities disintegrate around them,
they are needed, making a difference in the
they become disconnected from society.
lives of those for whom the American
Our challenge, then, is to raise their spir-
dream seems an impossible dream.
its and their expectations by engaging each
And already, this involvement, what we
citizen, school and business and church,
term national or community service, has
synagogue and service organization and
helped countless Americans find self-respect
civic group. For this is what I mean when I
and dignity. But the job is far from com-
talked about "a thousand points of light":
plete. Too many Americans still endure a
that vast galaxy of people and institutions
living nightmare of want, a living night-
working together to solve problems in their
mare of isolation. And that must stop.
own backyard.
Ladies and gentlemen, we must bring back
I am here today to ask that both sectors,
those who feel unwelcome. We must reawa-
private and public, and all branches of all
ken their hope for the future.
levels of government: Join this great move-
We know that government can't rebuild a
ment to extend national service into every
family or reclaim a sense of neighborhood.
corner of America. For it's a movement,
We know that during the past two decades
bold and unprecedented. This is not a pro-
we've spent more money on more social
gram, not another bureaucracy.
programs than at any time in our history,
Let me tell you the strategy of this move-
and some problems aren't better. In fact,
ment: first, to issue a call to action and to
some are worse. Most Americans under-
claim problems as your own; second, to
stand that the key to constructive change is
identify, enlarge, and recreate what is
building relationships, not bureaucracies.
working; and third, to discover and encour-
And they know that those who say, "It's
age new leaders.
government's problem," are really part of
First, our call to action-It is individual,
the problem themselves.
and yet collective. And it begins this after-
All my life I've believed that government
noon with you. So, today I ask all Americans
could not substitute for "do unto others."
and all institutions, large and small, to make
Barbara and I, like I told Lew and David
service central to your life and work. I urge
and Jim Robinson-it's like preaching to the
all business leaders to consider community
choir here today-that Barbara and I, like
service in hiring, compensation, and promo-
all of you here, have tried to pitch in, in
tion decisions. I call upon nonprofit and
some way do our small part. Midland,
service groups to open your doors to all
Texas-I'll never forget it. It was starting a
those who want to help, irrespective of age,
YMCA working with the United Way,
background, or level of experience. And
960
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / June 22
e ball team, helping
leaders of high schools and colleges, I urge
and proud to announce today that Gover-
theater. And dating
you to uphold the values of community
nor Tom Kean of New Jersey, one of this
D my days in New
service and to encourage students, faculty,
nation's most dedicated and caring public
or the United Negro
and personnel to serve others. To every cor-
servants, has agreed to head this commit-
m not going to give
poration, large and small, I say: Begin a
tee. Tom, thank you very much.
ise so many of you
literacy program that teaches each employ-
But look, a Federal effort alone cannot
ee how to read. And to every member of a
re.
succeed. And therefore, today we invite
e things, and as we
body of higher learning: Start a Big Brother
each Governor, and through them the
ed ourselves, learning
or Big Sister program for kids in your
mayors of all municipalities, to join our
e drive or where we
neighborhood. Of every church and syna-
movement by forming State and local
gogue, I ask: Become an around-the-clock
f clothes we wear;
Points of Light Working Groups composed
community center. And of every restaurant
America's greatness
of outstanding leaders. These individuals
and grocery store: Distribute surplus food to
of her people. And
will become a vehicle to solve problems lo-
soup kitchens and local shelters.
ond any individual;
cally and to help solve problems nationally.
And to the youth of America, I issue a
more than ever, we
The Points of Light Initiative will be a
special appeal. Yesterday on the South
ce to help dropouts,
magnet for the best ideas and brightest pro-
Lawn of the White House, we held a kickoff
busers, the homeless,
grams in community service. For while
rally for a key element of our strategy: the
ingry and illiterate.
countless service initiatives are already
YES Initiative, or Youth Engaged In Service
intaged, and as their
working successfully, they're too often iso-
to America. It was attended by thousands of
rate around them,
lated, too often unknown to others. Our
kids, some of those points of light I like to
ted from society.
foundation will change all that. By bringing
talk about. And I challenged every young
is to raise their spir-
success stories to other communities, we
American to fight against self-absorption
ns by engaging each
and to emulate those leaders who have
will repeat them across the Nation.
usiness and church,
shown that there is no problem in America
We will repeat them through a founda-
e organization and
that is not being solved somewhere.
tion initiative to be called the ServNet
what I mean when I
Their presence reminded me of the
Project. Professional firms, corporations,
and points of light":
saying; "Life is not a state of time; life is a
unions, schools, religious, civic, and not-for-
ople and institutions
state of mind." So is our call to community
profit groups will be asked to donate the
Ive problems in their
service. It summons the young and the old.
services of some of their most important,
I believe Americans will listen to that call.
talented, and promising people for a period
ask that both sectors,
Emerson once said, "The greatest gift is a
of time. These extraordinary individuals will
d all branches of all
portion of thyself." Well, today, across our
form and lead peer-to-peer working groups.
[oin this great move-
50 States, groups and individuals are giving
For example, lawyers going to fellow law-
al service into every
of, not to, themselves. Americans like these
yers, teachers to fellow teachers, union
or it's a movement,
are missionaries, and they're heroes. And
members to fellow union members. Serv-
ed. This is not a pro-
our mission is to achieve nationally what
Net will provide training and technical as-
aucracy.
they're doing locally.
sistance, showing what works and what
trategy of this move-
To complete it will require a catalyst.
doesn't.
call to action and to
And so, that brings me to the second part of
But we also have to improve current
ur own; second, to
our strategy, and I am proud to announce it
methods of matching people with meaning-
I recreate what is
now: a new effort to identify service pro-
ful service opportunities. Volunteers centers
discover and encour-
grams that work and then carry them to
should be directly accessible to all Ameri-
America. We call this catalyst the Points of
cans in their neighborhoods. Such contact
ion-It is individual,
Light Initiative, a foundation of which I will
points may be in a place of worship or
I it begins this after-
serve as honorary chairman and that will
union hall or library or fire station, a busi-
y I ask all Americans
help make our movement a reality.
ness building, service group headquarters,
e and small, to make
I will soon ask Congress for $25 million
neighborhood home-you name it.
life and work. I urge
annually to support this initiative, which in
Over time, through an initiative called
consider community
turn will seek matching funds from the pri-
the ServLink Project, the foundation will
ensation, and promo-
vate sector. But I will also name an advisory
stimulate the development through private
upon nonprofit and
committee to report to me within 45 days
sector resources of technology links be-
n your doors to all
of its first meeting on the structure, compo-
tween those who wish to serve and those
1, irrespective of age,
sition, and legislation needed to achieve the
needing service in the inquirer's own com-
of experience. And
foundation's goals. And I am very pleased
munity. And in addition, we will ask banks,
961
June 22 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
credit card users, telephone and utility
Washington to seek the Presidency. And he
companies to include in statement enve-
wrote him: "The point of light in which you
lopes information about how people and
stand will make an infinite difference." My
their institutions can become engaged in
friends, national service will succeed. It can
serving others.
make an infinite difference in the life of
And like the foundation itself, these ef-
these United States, for a thousand points
forts can help individuals and institutions
can light the lives of a people and a nation.
provide new hope to America. And so can
Remember, there is no problem that is not
the third part of our movement's strategy:
being solved somewhere in America. You-
our initiative to discover and encourage
you in this room who have already done so
new leaders of every age in every town and
much-can prove that statement a thou-
city, and to inspire them to devote their
sand times over. It is in our hands.
talents and energies to national service, and
God bless you. We need your help. And
then to honor those who excel.
God bless our great country. Thank you.
Through the foundation, the YES Initia-
tive will annually select two college-aged
Note: The President spoke at 1:35 p.m. in
youth from each State as President's Nation-
the Grand Ballroom of the New York
al Service Youth Representatives. And
Hilton Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to
they'll spend 1 year traveling through their
Ray Chambers, chairman of WESRAY Cap-
regions as service ambassadors, urging other
young Americans to get involved. And
ital Corp.; Lewis Rudin, chairman of the
Points of Light will convene youth and re-
Association for a Better New York; David
gional Presidential Leadership Forums,
Rockefeller and James D. Robinson III,
uniting young people, educators, and com-
founder and chairman of the New York
munity activists.
Partnership, respectively. Prior to the Presi-
From such action will come achievement.
dent's remarks, a video on voluntarism was
shown.
And such achievement should be rewarded.
And so, we'll ask media from small-town
weeklies to network television to profile the
brightest stars of community service. And
White House Fact Sheet on the Points
our foundation will also recognize successful
of Light Initiative
community initiatives and outstanding lead-
ers through two new Presidential awards:
June 22, 1989
the National Service Youth Leadership
CHALLENGE
Awards, given each year to individuals, and
the Build A Community Award, honoring
Though America is at peace and more
partnerships which work together to
Americans are enjoying a greater degree of
strengthen families and decaying neighbor-
prosperity than ever before in our history,
hoods in America.
we still have work to do. As long as millions
All of this will help fulfill us as Americans
of Americans are illiterates, dropouts, drug
by asking us to combat problems like loneli-
abusers, pregnant teens, delinquent or suici-
ness and poverty and drug abuse and home-
dal young people, AIDS victims, and among
lessness. We cannot afford to fail, and we
the homeless and hungry, America has not
won't. For as Americans, we know what is
yet fulfilled its promise. Our challenge is to
at stake. We know that voluntarism can
overcome the disintegration of communi-
help those free-falling through society. We
ties, large and small. While the Govern-
know that as citizens and institutions we
ment's role is critical, government cannot
can use one-to-one caring to truly love thy
overcome this challenge alone.
neighbor. And we know, finally, that from
MISSION
now on any definition of a successful life
must include serving others. And we must
The President believes in the readiness
resolve to carry this belief to every person
and ability of every individual and every
in the land.
institution in America to initiate action as
Two centuries ago just last year, Alexan-
"a point of light." Meaningful one-to-one
der Hamilton sent a letter urging General
engagement in the lives of others is now
962
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / June 22
Presidency. And he
required to overcome our most serious na-
bers of young people in purposeful
f light in which you
tional problems. The growth and magnifica-
community service.
lite difference." My
tion of "points of light" must now become
Through the foundation, the President
will succeed. It can
an American mission.
will:
ence in the life of
select the President's National Service
a thousand points
STRATEGY
Youth Representatives, who will lead
eople and a nation.
I. CLAIM PROBLEMS AS YOUR OWN
other young people in community
problem that is not
service in their regions, suggest ways
in America. You-
A. The President's Call for Action
that other young people can engage in
ave already done so
The President calls on all Americans and
community service, and assist in devel-
statement a thou-
all American institutions, large and small, to
oping and implementing local pro-
our hands.
make service of central value in our daily
grams;
eed your help. And
life and work. The President calls on the
initiate the President's National Service
ountry. Thank you.
heads of businesses and professional firms to
Youth Leadership Forums; and
include community service among the fac-
present the President's National Serv-
ke at 1:35 p.m. in
tors considered in making hiring, compen-
ice Youth Leadership Awards to honor
of the New York
sation, and promotion decisions. The Presi-
outstanding youth community leaders.
arks, he referred to
dent calls on newspapers, magazines, radio
YES to America is not a Federal Govern-
n of WESRAY Cap-
and television stations, cable systems, and
ment program, but a nationwide service
2, chairman of the
other media institutions to identify service
movement. It is:
r New York; David
opportunities, spotlight successful service
a movement that is grassroots and
D. Robinson III,
initiatives, and profile outstanding commu-
community-based rather than devised
of the New York
nity leaders regularly. The President calls
in and imposed from Washington;
1. Prior to the Presi-
on State and local education boards to
a movement that does not compensate
on voluntarism was
uphold the value of service and to encour-
people with Federal dollars for what
age students, faculty, and personnel to
should be an obligation of citizenship;
serve others. The President calls on college
a movement that integrates service
and university presidents to recognize the
into young people's normal life and
et on the Points
value of community service in considering
career pattern, developing in them a
applicants; to uphold the value of communi-
lifelong commitment to service rather
ty service; and to encourage students, facul-
than a temporary, 1- or 2-year involve-
ty, and personnel to serve others. The Presi-
ment.
dent calls on not-for-profit service organiza-
tions to build the capacity to absorb increas-
B. One-to-One Problem Solving
t peace and more
ing numbers of volunteers in purposeful
Every individual should "connect" with
a greater degree of
roles. The President challenges all young
his or her institution-businesses, profes-
fore in our history,
people to lead the nation in this movement
sional firms, the media, labor, education, re-
As long as millions
of community service through the "YES
ligion, civic groups, associations of all kinds,
ites, dropouts, drug
(Youth Engaged in Service) to America" ini-
and not-for-profit service organizations-
delinquent or suici-
tiative. The President will call all young
and engage in the lives of others in need on
victims, and among
people to help overcome society's chal-
a one-to-one basis. Examples of the kinds of
y, America has not
lenges by serving others through existing
engagement the President calls for include:
Our challenge is to
organizations or new initiatives.
starting a literacy program to teach
ation of communi-
He will also challenge:
every employee or member who wants
While the Govern-
leaders from all institutions to engage
to learn to read;
government cannot
their organizations in the development
adopting a school, class, or single stu-
alone.
of young people;
dent, providing tutoring, computers
community leaders and students to
and other learning aids, food, clothing,
reach out to alienated young people
or shelter for each student who needs
es in the readiness
and develop community service oppor-
them;
dividual and every
tunities which redirect their lives in a
adopting a nursing home, offering
0 initiate action as
positive way;
comfort and cheer;
aningful one-to-one
community service organizations to
starting a one-to-one mentoring pro-
S of others is now
build the capacity to absorb large num-
gram for needy young people;
963
June 22 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
forming a consortium to make decent,
These extraordinary individuals will form
affordable housing available to the
and lead peer-to-peer working groups, e.g.,
homeless;
lawyers going to fellow lawyers, teachers to
contributing and distributing surplus
fellow teachers, union members to fellow
food to soup kitchens each day to feed
union members, bringing examples of suc-
the hungry.
cessful initiatives and providing training,
Individuals wishing to help another in any
technical assistance, and other support to
of the above ways independently of an insti-
enable other institutions to devise similar
tution are encouraged to establish a one-to-
initiatives.
one relationship with an individual in need.
B. Linking Servers to Needs
II. IDENTIFY, ENLARGE AND REPLICATE
WHAT IS WORKING
One of the foundation's objectives is to
help to improve existing methods of match-
The President will serve as Honorary
ing would-be volunteers with purposeful
Chairman of a foundation called the Points
service opportunities. Over time, through
of Light Initiative. The President will con-
an initiative called the ServLink Project,
vene an advisory committee to make rec-
the foundation will stimulate the develop-
ommendations (within 45 days of its first
ment through private-sector resources of
meeting) on the structure and composition
of the foundation and the legislation most
technology links between those who wish to
appropriate to accomplish the purpose of
serve and those who need service, e.g., tele-
the President's national service initiative.
phone calls, interactive computers, etc.
The President will seek a congressional
Volunteer centers should be easily acces-
appropriation of $25 million annually for
sible to all Americans in their neighbor-
the foundation, which will, in turn, seek to
hoods, matching people with service oppor-
match that amount from private sector con-
tunities. Such contact points may be in a
tributions.
place of worship, union hall, library, fire
The President will challenge each Gover-
station, business building, service group
nor to replicate this initiative in each State
headquarters or neighborhood home. In ad-
and encourage State and local leaders to
dition, every bank, credit card issuer, tele-
develop Points of Light Working Groups
phone and utility company will be asked to
composed of community leaders. These
include in billing and statement envelopes
groups will marshal resources within their
printed information about how people and
communities and deploy them to overcome
their institutions can become engaged in
local problems.
serving others.
The President believes that virtually
every problem in America is being solved
C. Recognition and Awards
somewhere. There are already countless
service initiatives working successfully
In order to encourage others to engage in
throughout America. However, these suc-
service, every newspaper, magazine, radio
cessful initiatives are too often isolated and
and television station will be asked to iden-
unknown to others. These initiatives must
tify service opportunities, spotlight success-
be replicated over and over again by indi-
ful service initiatives and profile outstand-
viduals and teams until everyone is con-
ing community leaders regularly.
nected to someone, one-to-one.
The President's Build a Community
Awards will honor those people and institu-
A. Peer-to-Peer Working Groups
tions who have worked together to rebuild
Through a foundation initiative to be
families or to revitalize communities.
called the ServNet Project, corporations,
Through the foundation, the President will
professional firms, unions, schools, religious
recognize and present awards and other
groups, civic groups, and not-for-profit serv-
forms of commendation to talented commu-
ice organizations will be asked to donate
nity leaders and successful initiatives that
the services of some of their most talented
are solving the Nation's most critical social
and promising people for a period of time.
problems.
964
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / June 22
viduals will form
III. DISCOVER AND ENCOURAGE NEW LEAD-
nevertheless, we don't take that as a slight
rking groups, e.g.,
ERS
at all. We're pleased that you named it that.
wyers, teachers to
America's community service movement
[Laughter] Maybe she does take it as-no,
embers to fellow
must have the strongest, most creative lead-
no. [Laughter]
examples of suc-
ership, nationally and locally. Such leader-
No, it's great to be back in New York.
roviding training,
ship must be constantly recruited. The
Where else can you find newspapers with
other support to
foundation, with the help of existing organi-
headlines like "Picked Pot Packed In Pick-
to devise similar
zations, will identify the most promising
led Peppers." That was out there. Or my
new leaders in all walks of life who are not
personal favorite from the New York Daily
now engaged in community service and en-
News, a headline that accompanied before
is
courage them to devote part of their talent
and after pictures of a famous actor that
and energy to community service. The
read, "Brando Expando." [Laughter]
's objectives is to
foundation will give special attention to
You're wondering why we're all dressed
nethods of match-
young people and to those who have not
up. We're off to the Wall Street Journal
with purposeful
had the opportunity to fulfill their leader-
100th anniversary here in a few minutes.
er time, through
ship potential.
And the Wall Street Journal maintains a
ServLink Project,
IV. CONCLUSION
more dignified air with its no-photos policy.
late the develop-
The President's national service initiative
If they were ever to run a swimsuit issue, it
etor resources of
focuses on the most critical domestic chal-
would be Lee Iacocca in thongs. [Laughter]
those who wish to
lenges facing the Nation today. These prob-
I am here today to celebrate a new fact
service, e.g., tele-
lems were long in coming and cannot be
in American politics: the emergence of a
mputers, etc.
solved overnight. But if each American citi-
strong, united New York State Republican
d be easily acces-
zen and each American institution responds
Party. And we've had good times and bad,
1 their neighbor-
to the President's call to engage "one-to-
but this is due in no small measure to the
ith service oppor-
one" in the life of another person in need,
leadership of our outgoing chairman, Tony
ints may be in a
this initiative will be the most comprehen-
Colavita. I'd like to give some credit, also,
hall, library, fire
sive and inclusive movement of our time.
to my brother, John, who fought the finan-
g, service group
This movement can dramatically reverse
cial side of the equation.
nood home. In ad-
negative trends on many fronts and ensure
And to the promise of success from your
card issuer, tele-
the fulfillment of America's promise.
new cofinance chairman, Joe Fogg, an out-
y will be asked to
standing man who did a marvelous job on
tement envelopes
this dinner, and of course, to our new able
how people and
Remarks at a Republican Party
Chairman Pat Barrett. Pat. He's a friend to
come engaged in
Fundraising Dinner in New York City
many here, and Barbara and I consider him
June 22, 1989
a friend. He has everything in the world
going for him upstate, and now he's taken
I am just delighted. Thank you all for that
on this major job. He's shown the proven
thers to engage in
warm welcome. I look around this room,
ability to reach out and attract new voters
magazine, radio
and I think to myself, Okay, I'm President
to the Republican party. Pat, you've worked
be asked to iden-
of the United States. But I know how I got
wonders as the county chairman up there
spotlight success-
here, and I see many, many people in this
in Onondaga County, and we look forward
room to whom I will always feel indebted
to your work and this Barrett magic all
profile outstand-
for that long-ago political action, and then
across New York State, and every single one
,ularly.
when we all came together in the fall of
of you ought to help him every way you
a Community
1988 for the election.
possibly can.
eople and institu-
And so, I'm delighted to be here at this
It is no surprise to me that New Yorkers,
gether to rebuild
major political event. I want to thank Pat
in particular minority and ethnic voters, are
ze communities.
Barrett; my brother John and Joe Fogg; out-
shifting. They are shifting from automatic
the President will
going chairman, my friend Tony Colavita.
loyalty to the other party and voting Re-
wards and other
And it's always great to be back in New
publican more and more. And it was, after
talented commu-
York. It's the first place I've ever come to
all, the Republican party that was the origi-
ul initiatives that
that they named a dessert for my wife. Just
nal party of civil rights, equal opportunity.
nost critical social
look at your program. I don't know what
It was the Republican party that first at-
Bombe a la Barbara means-laughter}-but
tracted immigrants and the sons and daugh-
965
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
November 15, 1989
MEMORANDUM TO: CHRISS WINSTON
MARK LANGE
STEPHANIE BLESSEY
FROM:
KRISTEN GEAR
KG
SUBJECT:
MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1889
The Memphis Commercial Appeal Newspaper started a series on July
2, 1989 to highlight 1,000 people in their community who
participate in volunteer activities. They were inspired by the
President's points of light initiative. The series began as a
search that was facilitated through the readers nominations of
people from within the tri-state area (Tennessee, Arkansas,
Mississippi). At the time of this pre-advance trip they had done
profiles on 745, and planned to make the 1,000 mark by the time
of the President's visit.
They have run theme pieces on the following five groups - the
military, labor leaders, youth, professional volunteers, and
those who volunteer around the holidays. There are several
contacts you can use at the paper. Mary Alice Quinn is an
Assistant Managing Editor and has worked extensively with the
Office of National Service setting up the event. Henry Stokes is
also an A.M.E. and is the person who sent me all the information
on the series up to this date (see attached articles). Ginny
Everett is the newspaper librarian for research purposes.
I am not sure what senior staff has decided, but advance was
thinking about using this speech to give a Thanksgiving message.
I will try to get a feel from Dave on this idea. The speech will
be held on the front lawn of the paper, at noon time to draw as
many people as possible. They expect all of the 1,000 honorees
to attend as well as another 4,000 from the surrounding area. I
recommend that this speech be teleprompted.
- Last June when I launched the "Points of Light initiative", I
said that my goal was to make community service central to the
life and work of every individual and institution in America.
- Not only did I call upon every institution, from General
Motors to a neighborhood softball team, to begin a community
service initiative in which every single member could
participate, I also called upon every institution to decide what
it can distinctively contribute to the evolving community service
movement and to make that commitment.
- To illustrate the notion of "distinctive competence", I called
upon every credit card issuer, bank, telephone and utility
company to include in billing and statement envelopes printed
information about how and where individuals and institutions can
serve others.
- I called upon real estate developers, building contractors,
architects and mortgage lending institutions to form consortiums
to build decent, affordable housing for the homeless.
- I called upon every restaurant, grocery and convenience store
and farm to make surplus food available to the hungry each day.
- To the news media, I issued a special appeal.
- No other institution in America is better able to appeal to
public opinion, shape public attitudes, heighten awareness and
mobilize people for action than the news media.
- And, of course, changing attitudes and affecting behavior is
that on which the success of the growing nationwide community
service movement ultimately depends.
- We must convince all Americans that illiteracy, drug abuse,
homelessness, AIDS, hunger and other social ills are not somebody
else's problem; they're everyone's problem.
- Each of us can and must begin to play a direct and
consequential role in solving them.
- And all across the country Americans are responding to this
appeal. All across the country we are witnessing a new
engagement in the lives of those in need.
- That is why I am here today to applaud The Commercial Appeal,
for perhaps more than any other newspaper in the country, The
Commercial Appeal has taken to heart my call to each institution
to make a distinctive contribution to community service.
- By identifying 1000 individual and institutional "points of
light", those making a difference in communities across the
pi
state
you are casting the bright spotlight that belongs
to the media on those who are quite simply "the best of
And by recognizing these outstanding examples of "points of
light", you are encouraging untold numbers of other Americans to
follow their lead.
- By this recognition program, you are demonstrating that it can
be done, that individuals and institutions can make a difference.
- By pointing to solutions rather than problems, you are giving
not just the Memphis community, but communities all across the
country confidence in themselves and hope for the future.
- For I believe in the innate desire and ability of every
individual and every institution in America to be "a point of
light", to serve others with whatever means and skills are
available to them.
speciofa
- For those millions who wish to help others in need, you are
showing that they are not alone and that there are countless ways
to lead others out of darkness.
- I challenge every news medium in America to follow the lead of
The Commercial Appeal.
- I call upon every publication and broadcast in America to
feature and applaud those who are doing outstanding work in the
field of community service.
- Imagine the impact if every newspaper, magazine, television
and radio station and cable system identified and recognized 1000
"points of light".
- And this is an appeal not just to newspapers; every institution
can and should seek out those within their midst who are "points
of light" and find a way to honor them prominently as our
greatest heroes.
- I have often said, "From now on in America, any definition of a
successful life must include serving others.'
- If every instituion were to begin a recognition program like
that of The Commercial Appeal, it would redefine success in
America.
- A lot has been written lately about the lack of heroes in
America. Some say that we have no giants among us anymore.
- But I say that each one of the 1000 recognized by The
Commercial Appeal is a giant, a true American hero.
aunching this magnificent recognition program, The
emmercial Appeal is proving to be a most successful publication.
- By following your lead, other institutions can become
successful too.
- Thank you, God bless you and God bless the United States of
America.
spirit of Thoughts ev. day
of the paper
History
with
History:
IND.
A Tradition of
Courage and Service
KY
Search the history of American journalism for a story to
parallel The Commercial Appeal's. You'll find few to equal
MO.
CAIRO
its color and character.
CREW
The ancestor of The Commercial Appeal of today was
begun by Col. Henry Van Pelt in 1839. It was only a two-
page weekiy printed from a hand-operated press in a
ea
5
TENN.
wooden building overlooking the Wolf River, but, it was
enough to ably service the struggling river town.
ARK
NASHVILLE
Van Pelt called his newspaper The Western World and The
Memphis Banner of The Constitution. In 1840, Gen.
William Henry Harrison, a Whig, was elected president.
The
I
Van Pelt, a Democrat, immediately changed the name to
CHATTANOOGA
I
The Memphis Appeal in an "appeal to the sober second
thoughts of the people" to elect a Democratic president in
MEMPHIS
the next election.
The town and its newspaper continued to grow. But the
Civil War presented their first trial. Choosing to voice its
pro-Confederacy opinions in exile rather than endure
silence during the Union occupation of Memphis, Editor
No.
Benjamin Dill, with his wife, America, and pressman, John
ATLANTA
McClanahan, packed up and moved the newspaper to
GRENADA
safety in Grenada, MS. There they published The Memphis
Appeal until again chased out by the Northern troops.
MISS
GA
Over and over again, they followed the same routine, that
of packing up the press, boiler, engine, type cases and
MA
stands to flee from the hotly pursuing Federal troops. After
Grenada The Memphis Appeal traveled to Jackson and
on to Vicksburg, where Grant's troops fought diligently.
my,
1
Traveling by wagon to Atlanta, they ran off its final edition
MONTGOMERY
while the Battle of Peachtree raged. As Sherman
MERIDIAN
approached Atlanta from one direction, McClanahan and
Dill exited out another and made their way to Montgomery,
/
I
AL.
to
Gront
General Wilson roared on through Alabama to capture
Memphis Appeal traveled to Jackson and
Vicksourg, where Grant's troops fought diligently.
aveling by wagon to Atlanta, they ran off its final edition
hile the Battie of Peachtree raged. As Sherman
sproached Atlanta from one direction, McClanahan and
11 exited out ai
and made their way to Montgomery,
eneral Wilson roared on through Alabama to capture
lontgomery on the very day Robert E. Lee handed his
word to General Grant - but The Memphis Appeal was
one. In a scene much like one from Gone With The Wind,
lcClanahan drove a mule-drawn wagon, which held the
he-cylinder press, its boiler and the newspaper's library of
quality and honest reporting was nurtured. Editor C.P.J.
Mooney campaigned for diversified farming in the South to
OS, to Macon, GA.
lessen dependence on the unreliable one-crop cotton
system. He also began the battle against the political
1 their attack of the small Georgia town, the Yankee
machine of "Boss" Crump.
oldiers took time to smash the newspaper's stands, type
ases, and proof press and to scatter type in the streets.
It took courage for Dill to leave Memphis so that the
he courageous Mrs. Dill pleaded with Wilson's staff
people, wherever they might be, could be kept abreast of
In 1923, The Commercial Appeal was awarded the Pulitzer
ficers and managed to save a handful of papers and
the news. It also took courage for editor John McLeod
Prize, journalism's highest award, for "meritorious public
Keating to remain in Memphis during the Yellow Fever
service" in coverage of the Ku Klux Klan. Its opposition
dgers from the flames.
was expressed through Mooney's editorials and the
Epidemic of 1878.
cartoons of J.P. Alley.
he war was over. and, to all appearances, so was The
Memphis Appeal, as all that remained was the printing
With the first case diagnosed, fear spread as quickly as the
With these and other achievements, The Commercial
ress. But who! use was a press with no type, stands,
epidemic. Many tried to leave the city. But, even though
Appeal became the prominent newspaper for the
aper or ink?
the disease had reduced the entire staff to only Keating
Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas region. At the same
and one pressman, The Memphis Daily Appeal continued
time, it was attracting the attention of the Scripps Howard
ditor Dill smiled to himself as he planned for the future.
to publish
newspaper. organization which purchased the paper in
Vith the press safe, he planned to use the 27 boxes of fine
1936.
'irginia tobacco he had bought in Atlanta to exchange for
By the time winter arrived and killed the carrier mosquitos,
he supplies the Union forces had destroyed. His
Memphis had lost its charter and become a state taxing
Through the modern years, The Commercial Appeal
upposition was right.
district. But it began to rebuild, as did the courageous
continued its fight to improve the Mid-South and smooth
newspaper that had kept printing during the crisis.
the road into the future. It led effective battles for the
Within weeks of their return to Memphis, via the Mississippi
establishment of the Tennessee Valley Authority to control
River, McClanahan died in his bachelor's quarters at the
The Memphis Daily Appeal purchased a rival newspaper-in
flooding and for the improvement of the Port of Memphis
Gayoso House. Six months later, Dill died as well, but not
1890 and became The Appeal-Avalanche. After another
to provide industry and agriculture with a quicker and
before his ciream became a reality. On Nov. 5, 1865, Mrs.
merger, the July 1, 1894, edition was the first to display the
cheaper transportation/distribution system. It also
Dill, acting publisher, and Jesse McMahon, editor,
name it carries today - The Commercial Appeal.
campaigned for tax-incentives and renovations toward
downtown re-development and pushed for higher teacher
delivered the first copy of the revitalized newspaper to
Dill's sickbed at the Gayoso House.
During the 1900's The Commercial Appeal's reputation for
pay in an attempt to upgrade our educational system.
CAM
AMERICA THE
QUOTABLE
Mike Edelhart and
James Tinen
Facts On File Publications
460 Park Avenue South
New York, N.Y. 10016
SOUTH DAKOTA
ages and ages of time showing the working-out of
our civilization. Yellowstone National Park is no
well-laid plans with no human being to help or
more representative of America than is Disneyland."
interfere.'
John Steinbeck
Cleophas C. O'Harra
Travels with Charley
Quoted by Champ Clark
1962
The Badlands
1974
Other Cities and Places
***
"It [the Badlands] was the greatest game country that
I ever saw."
Pierre:
Charles Sackett, trapper, circa 1880
Quoted by Champ Clark
"No American [state] capital is as much disdained by
The Badlands
the people of its state as Pierre (pronounced 'Peer'),
1974
a drab prairie town of 9,699 souls settled between
***
mustard-colored buttes along the Missouri River val-
"I was not prepared for the Badlands. They deserve
ley. Centrality is apparently Pierre's main virtue; if
this name. They are like the work of an evil child.
you take an official South Dakota map and fold it so
Such a place the fallen angels might have built as a
that the eastern and western borders are lined up
spite to heaven, dry and sharp, desolate and danger-
evenly, the center crease will barely miss Pierre."
ous "
Neal R. Peirce
John Steinbeck
The Great Plains States of America
Travels with Charley
1973
1962
The Wakpala Indian Village:
Mt. Rushmore
"
the Indian village of Wakpala in the Standing
Rock reservation-a place of futility, where tomor-
"About one thing there was never any doubt: the
row will be no different from today and yesterday."
sculpture [Mt. Rushmore] was going to be tremen-
Erskine Caldwell
dous. Although Borglum [the sculptor] later was
Afternoons in Mid-America
annoyed by tourists whose only reaction to the monu-
1976
ment was open-mouthed wonder at its size, he fully
intended from the beginning that its proportions
should be stunning. They should be determined, he
said, 'by the importance to civilization of the events
TENNESSEE
commemorated' and he told Senator Norbeck that his
mission was 'to get the American people to look at
+
art in a big way and to get away from this petty
stuff.' "
E.M. Halliday
American Heritage
June, 1977
***
"Carved upon the mighty mountain,
The heroes' faces, pale
Capital: Nashville
In the misty moonlight."
Entered the union (with rank): June 1, 1796 (16)
Emiko Takase Matsumoto
State motto: Tennessee-America at its best
(Tr. from Japanese by Beverly C.W. White)
State flower: Iris
Kugenuma
State bird: Mockingbird
1961
State song: "The Tennessee Waltz"
***
State tree: Tulip poplar
" I would rather see a good Brady photograph
Nickname: Volunteer State
than Mount Rushmore. For it is my opinion that we
Origin of state name: A Cherokee word, the precise
enclose and celebrate the freaks of our nation and of
meaning of which is no longer known
430
9-28-89
THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL
A11
VIEWPOINT
(#9)
Volunteering is family affair
T
HE Commercial Appeal is featuring
food pantry; Mrs. Hayes sees to it that
a thousand people in the Mid-South
"I'm lucky to have so many op-
food is obtained, volunteers recruited
who make life better for others by their
portunities to serve," says Mari-
and everything runs smoothly. With
voluntary efforts.
lyn Muklevicz, 45, of her long list of ac
her husband, Dick, she delivers Meals
Today's points of light:
tivities. A coordinator for Christian
on Wheels and is on the board of the
Outreach, Ms. Muklevicz organizes
Memphis Food Bank. Through her
Members of the John Kingsley
many programs at her church, Bartlett
church's Women's Group, Mrs. Hayes is
Sr. family devote 20 to 30 hours a
United Methodist. She organized "Pen-
key woman at the United Methodist
week at the Special Olympics Fitness
nies for Tennies" in which 5th and 6th
Neighborhood Center. "I do whatever
Club at Central Church. Their son,
graders sold lemonade and used the
the center needs." In'addition, she's a
Johnny, has Down's Syndrome, so the
profits to buy shoes for needy children.
member of the Whitehaven People
family is aware of the difficulties
Two or three times a month the Bartlett
Helping People Committee. "There's
handicapped people face. John, 51, an
resident makes sack lunches for the
just such a great need in the world.
employee at Shulton, Inc., and his wife,
homeless at United Methodist Neigh-
Those of us who are blessed are com-
Lilly, 46, are parent coordinators and
borhood Center and she also helps staff
pelled to help the less fortunate."
"we do whatever is
a soup kitchen at St. John's United
Methodist Church. With a team of eight
Her work as international traffic
needed," she says.
This may range from
Ms. Muklevicz organizes trips to the
and documentation manager at
taking 11 young
grocery store for residents of North-
Plough is hectic enough, yet Lynn Dun-
adults on a trip to
Thousand
lake apartments every Monday. Work-
woody finds time to put in more than 40
setting up tents and
ing with the Metropolitan Inter-Faith
hours a week helping others. "I do it be-
POINTSof
transporting ath-
Association she coordinated a program
cause we all have to give something
letes. Son Danny is a
Light
in which young people repair homes
back to feel good about ourselves," the
weighlifting coach
and do handy work for the less fortu-
Raleigh resident says. Her outlet for do-
and events director
nate three or four times yearly. "We
ing good is as a probation officer and
for the olympics and his wife, Tammy,
have a million chances to do the little
Division 10 chief with Juvenile Court.
is equestrian event director. High
things," Ms. Muklevicz believes. "Com-
Ms. Dunwoody works in the Court Ap-
school student Mark coaches soccer
bined they can make a difference.
pointed Special Advocate (CASA) pro-
and softball. "The work is an important
gram. "I speak up for a child in court,
part of our lives," Mrs. Kingsley says.
Although she's retired from the
often for neglected and abused kids.
We can see how much it has done for
staff at Whitehaven United Meth-
Once a month I'm on the Foster Care Re-
our son and all the others. Some don't
odist Church, Mary Lib Hayes finds she
view Board."
have anybody to work with them." The
spends as much time with the volun-
To suggest people for this feature,
effort has also made the family, who re-
teers now as when she was working full
please write us with the nominee's
side in Hickory Hill, closer. "It's re-
time. The 62-year-old teaches at the
name, address, phone number and a
warding to see how much the kids get
church and is the chairman of the
brief description of the nominee's vol-
out of it. But then they give you SO
church and society committee that op-
unteer work. Mail to: A Thousand
much more than you give them," Mrs.
erates the outreach and blood life pro-
Points of Light, The Commercial Ap-
Kingsley says.
grams. In charge of the Whitehaven
peal, Box 364, Memphis, Tenn. 38101.
A9
MEMPHIS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1989
Soup-kitchen work aids
the homeless and hungry
T
HE Commercial Appeal is featuring
Memphis Humane Society. She has been
a thousand people in the Mid South
doing it since 1975, spending her own
who make life better for others by their
money on food for them. She has been
voluntary efforts.
taking classes at Lichterman Nature
Today's points of light:
Center and has begun her required 15
hours work there. If she can get rabies
The plight of the homeless and
shots, she will work with skunks and
hungry has touched the heart of
foxes, too.
Donna Fortson, 47
"Animals accept you as you are if
Since 1987 she has been chairman of
you've good to them. says Ms. Har-
First Presbyterian Church's Urban Out-
grove of her love for them.
reach Committee, working hard for the
church's soup kitchen. This summer
the group served as
After he was in a wreck and lay
many as 200 home
in a hospital, Billy Meharg, 69,
less meals on Sun-
remembered a ng-forgotten promise.
day.
"I went through four campaigns,'
'It's the only meal
says the Marine Corps veteran, 'and in
served to them on
Thousand
each one I asked God to get me through.
the weekend," says
Ms. Fortson, who
POINTSof
I promised I'd help others, but then I'd
forget. After the wreck and after I be
works in the invest-
Light
came involved in my church, it all fell
ment division at Na
in place."
tional Bank of Com
Now the Blytheville, Ark., resident
merce.
spends time working with the Boy
She also works on getting caps, gloves
Scouts and four Cub packs and the
and blankets for the homeless for win
American Legion, which he has been in
ter, plans special monthly and holiday
since 1946. Every Memorial Day he
meals, plus tries to get funding grants.
takes the Scouts to place flags on the
Another pet project is a reading pro-
graves of veterans to show them how
gram for children, which the Summer-
many have died for our country.
Grahamwood resident hopes to start.
"Last year we placed 1,165 flags on
"So many people need help, I feel like
graves," he said proudly. Meharg also
it's necessary," she says of her many
finds time to teach Sunday school and is
hours of volunteer work.
a deacon in his church, Trinity Baptist.
"I find the time" is the motto for
Terrie Kirksey, 30, devotes her
Lata Surpuriya, 38.
life to helping the elderly.
Two years ago she began delivering
A year ago, she founded Co-Carers, an
Meals On Wheels for the Metropolitan
auxiliary of Alzheimer's Day Care, Inc.
Inter-Faith Association, then would
The 25-member group helps raise funds
spend any available afternoon there
for people who need care but can't af
helping with mailings. Currently she
ford it.
makes soup for the Memphis Day
A social worker, Ms. Kirksey directs
Shelter for Fridays, donating the food
the Josephine K. Lewis Center for Sen-
and making enough for 100 people. The
for Citizens, a multipurpose daytime
East Memphian also washes and dyes
center that offers recreational, social,
donated clothes for MIFA and collects
educational and nutritional services
canned and dried goods for food bas-
for the elderly. Co-Carers and Alz-
kets for the needy.
heimer's Day Care both originated
Last year Mrs. Surpuriya, who works
from the Lewis Center.
part-time as a cooking teacher and at a
"If I can make someone's eyes sparkle
jewelry shop, was a guide for MIFA's
or someone smile, I've improved the
downtown home tour. She also finds
quality of his or her life," she said. "I
time to help the Girls Scouts with fund-
enjoy bringing that little bit of pleasure
raising
to this special group of people.
"You feel good," Mrs. Surpuriya says
Ms. Kirksey serves on Alzheimer's
of her work, adding that her husband
board, is a member of the Memphis/
and two daughters like to help her.
Shelby County Council on Aging and
has worked with RSVP, the Retired Sen-
ior Volunteer Program.
It's not unusual for Brenda Har-
grove, 37, to have as many as 18
To suggest people for this feature,
cats and kittens in her Memphis State
please write us with the nominee'
area home and garage.
name, address, phone number and a
Ms. Hargrove, an employee
at
brief description of the nominee's vol-
Brown's Optical, has always loved ani unteer work Mail to: A Thousand
mals and expresses it by fostering fe
Points of Light, The Commercial Ap-
lines who need special care for the peal, Box 364, Memphis, Tenn. 38101.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
November 15, 1989
MEMORANDUM TO: CHRISS WINSTON
MARK LANGE
STEPHANIE BLESSEY
FROM:
KRISTEN GEAR
KG
SUBJECT:
MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1889
The Memphis Commercial Appeal Newspaper started a series on July
2, 1989 to highlight 1,000 people in their community who
participate in volunteer activities. They were inspired by the
President's points of light initiative. The series began as a
search that was facilitated through the readers nominations of
people from within the tri-state area (Tennessee, Arkansas,
Mississippi). At the time of this pre-advance trip they had done
profiles on 745, and planned to make the 1,000 mark by the time
of the President's visit.
They have run theme pieces on the following five groups - the
military, labor leaders, youth, professional volunteers, and
those who volunteer around the holidays. There are several
contacts you can use at the paper. Mary Alice Quinn is an
Assistant Managing Editor and has worked extensively with the
Office of National Service setting up the event. Henry Stokes is
also an A.M.E. and is the person who sent me all the information
on the series up to this date (see attached articles). Ginny
Everett is the newspaper librarian for research purposes.
I am not sure what senior staff has decided, but advance was
thinking about using this speech to give a Thanksgiving message.
I will try to get a feel from Dave on this idea. The speech will
be held on the front lawn of the paper, at noon time to draw as
many people as possible. They expect all of the 1,000 honorees
to attend as well as another 4,000 from the surrounding area. I
recommend that this speech be teleprompted.
495 UNION AVENUE
HENRY A. STOKES
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 38103
ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR/PROJECTS
901 529-2703
THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL
November 10, 1989
Ms. Kristen M. Gear
Special Assistant to the
Deputy Director
Office of Communications
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Kristen:
We are thrilled at the prospect of the President's
visit. What a wonderful way to honor the volunteers
we have been featuring in our stories.
Enclosed is a photocopy set of our Thousand Points of
Light stories published to date. We will send others
as they are published. Next week we will send
manuscript printouts of the rest of the batch.
Another set of the photocopies has been sent to Don
Iloff in the Office of National Services.
With best regards,
Henry Heng A. Stokes
HAS/JC
Enclosures
A SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWSPAPER
NOV-13-'89 MON 14:10 ID:COMMERCIAL APPEAL
TEL NO:OMNIFAX 901-529-2384 #118 P01
THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL
INTER-OFFICE MEMO
FAX TRANSMISSION COVER SHEET: First of FIVE shaets
TO.
FOR: Kristen M. Gear, office of Communications
FROM:
FROM: Henry Stokes, 901-529-2703
DATE
Nov. 13, 1989
SUBJECT.
Kristen: Here are the last four days Points of Lights.
You should have received the July 2-Nov. 9 set
this morning via Federal Express.
Will send the rest of the series as it comes
available.
Fax copy also sent to Don Iloff
A SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWSPAPER
Science Fairs
Children's
Newspaper
Pet Parade
in Education
PHEROMONES
Cockroaches Trapping
THE END OF GLASSES
Cockroaches
Helping children learn to read is the focus of the
Newspaper In Education program (NIE) It supplements
textbooks and provides up-to-date relevance to
encourage students to apply their knowledge and be
curious about their world.
School students in Memphis, West Tennessee, East
Arkansas, Southern Missouri, Southeastern Kentucky an
North Mississippi use The Commercial Appeal's NIE
program each year. More than 500 newspapers offer NIE
programs across the country, in Canada, Sweden, Japar
Great Britain and even South Africa.
To encourage children to have pride in their pets and to be
responsible owners, The Commercial Appeal sponsors the
In the Mid-South it is used from kindergarten through jun
Pet Parade each year in Overton Park. It is held in
college, and in classes that range from vocational to
conjunction with the Great River Festival.
distributive education: English; social studies; math;
reading; career counseling; science and current events.
Through credit workshops available at six area universit
teachers are taught how to use the program in their
Adopt-A-School
classes. In addition, the NIE staff provides in-service
assistance to teachers. For example, NIE provides
The papers
other
volunkeer
projects
North Mississippi use The Commercial Appeal'
program each year. More than 500 newspapers offer NIE
programs across the country, in Canada, Sweden, Japal
Great Britain and even South Africa.
To encourage children to have pride in their pets and to be
responsible owners, The Commercial Appeal sponsors the
In the Mid-South it is used from kindergarten through juni
Pet Parade each year in Overton Park. It is held in
college, and in classes that range from vocational to
conjunction with the Great River Festival.
distributive education: English; social studies; math;
reading; career counseling; science and current events.
Through credit workshops available at six area universitie
teachers are taught how to use the program in their
classes. In addition, the NIE staff provides in-service
assistance to teachers. For example, NIE provides
classroom programs on newspaper production, editorial
cartoons, critical thinking and gathering the news. NIE
prepares and conducts a 10-week stock market game
In participation with the International Science Fair network,
which provides a hands on understanding of investing in
the stock market.
The Commercial Appeal sponsors the local competition.
City and county school students present their best efforts
for the right to advance to further competition. Federal
Express and Christian Brothers College co-sponsor this
event.
Best
Preps
The newspaper is connected to Northside High School in
the Adopt-A-School program for area businesses. We aid
the school and its students by providing speakers,
assisting in production of the various school publications,
and recognizing superior students.
For more than a century, this newspaper has earned high
Another advantage of being in the NIE program is receivir
marks as a good corporate citizen. In many and varied
special tabloids which are used in the newspaper.
ways it has helped lead the way to growth and
Teachers enrolled in the program automatically receive
development of commerce and to a better life for its
these as they are issued. These special sections have der
people.
with such subjects as career education, black history, the
yellow fever epidemic, the honored countries for the
Our employes are also encouraged to give of their personal
Memphis in May festivals and complete newspaper
time to support those civic organizations which aid and
production. Of course, daily editions of The Commercial
guide the young and underprivileged, or contribute to the
Appeal are provided at substantial savings.
growth and enrichment of our city.
The Sports department is in charge of this event and the
If you would like to take advantage of this program offere-
selection of the best high school players and coaches from
If you would like to become involved with any of the special
free by The Commercial Appeal or would like to have
both the city and county schools. It recognizes excellence
projects listed above or need information, please call our
further information, call our NIE department at
in a variety of sports.
Editorial Promotions department at 901/529-2490.
901/529-2571.
druis
the
Crime Stoppers
South Fair
Youth Valant Contest
16 On mercial Appeal serves the Mid-South each day
ith the latest news, features, trends and opinions relevant
COMME
our lives. But beyond the printed columns, the
ewspaper serves to better the community with dozens of
beciar projects. These major among them:
THE
-Dimes
Local talent contest winners from across the region come
together to compete for $1,000 and a Hollywood audition.
The newspaper helped launch this community-wide
Mon-For-Boy Camp
program of rewards for information leading to arrests and
indictments in puzzling crimes. Each week we cooperate
with local law enforcement agencies to spotlight a special
case in this front page feature. Through this effort to make
Memphis a safer place, numerous crimes have been solved
and thousands of dollars distributed to information
sources.
Mid South
Spelling Bee
Since the Depression of the 1930's, contributions from
readers have provided Christmas-season meals for
hundreds of thousands of needy families. The dollars
solicited during the holiday season each year are applied
to purchasing, packing and delivering food throughout the
Mid-South. Hundreds of volunteers from government and
other agencies help get the job done.
Co-sponsored with the Kiwanis Club, The Commercial
Appeal raises funds to send deserving boys to summer
camp.
Since the Depression of the 1930
readers have provided Christmas-season meals for
hundreds of the isands of needy families. The dollars
solicited during the holiday season each year are applied
to purchasing, packing and delivering food throughout the
Mid-South. Hundreds of volunteers from government and
Annual
other agencies help get the job done.
Co-sponsored with the Kiwanis Club, The Commercial
Appeal raises funds to send deserving boys to summer
camp.
Cynthia Milk Fund
Junior
Fishing Rodeo
in 1914, reporter Cynthia Grey discovered that the lack of
fresh milk in the diets of babies born to poverty stricken
families was the cause of the high infant death rate in
Each June, nearly 2,000 youngsters and their parents li
Memphis. Her series of touching articles caused readers to
Every year since 1926, the newspaper has sponsored the
the banks of Ray Deaton Lake in Audubon Park
contribute money to buy milk for these newborns, so, the
Cynthia Milk Fund was created. Each June, The
Mid-South Spelling Bee to encourage young students to
participate in this annual fun and learning event. Ar
Commercial Appeal publicizes this worthy cause so that
be better spellers and readers. Every school in the area is
outdoor and fishing organizations volunteer servic
invited to have a spelling bee and vie for the right to
supplies and equipment to help these young people le
thousands of Mid-South children will receive a healthy
advance to local, regional and national spelling bees.
how to fish and enjoy nature activities.
start:
eputation for
pay in an attempt to upgrade our educational system.
development and pushed for higher toward teacher
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Date: 11/11/81
Chriss Winston
TO:
FROM:
Office CLARK of KENT National ERVIN Service (or
x6266
Action
Your Comment
Let's Talk
FYI
Gregg : I would my much
appreciate you seeing to it that
the attached comments are
insected into the remarks to
upcoming Speech in Memphis to recrgnize the
he prepared for the Presidat:
iffirs of The Convercial Appeal
ATTACHMENT C
Sample DPOL Press Release
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
November 22, 1989
WHITE HOUSE RECOGNIZES
DAILY POINTS OF LIGHT
The White House today begins a practice of recognizing daily
"Points of Light". "Points of Light" are individuals,
institutions, and initiatives across the country exemplifying the
President's commitment to making community service central to the
life and work of every American.
Each day the White House will recognize one individual or
institution who has successfully addressed our most dire social
problems by engaging in community service.
As there are millions of Americans who would be worthy
recipients, it is impossible to select the "best" exemplars of
community service or to recognize each example individually.
However, the entire "Points of Light" recognition program is
intended by the President as a national tribute of the highest
order to every single American who makes a difference in the life
of someone in need.
END
ATTACHMENT D
Sample Press Release
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
, 1989
PRESIDENT NAMES HALES
AS SECOND "POINT OF LIGHT"
The President today named the husband and wife team of Drs.
William and Sandy Hale as his second "Daily Point of Light. " The
recipients, a doctor and nurse, operate a free medical clinic,
despite their own serious medical problems. Both have multiple
sclerosis.
Dr. Hale is the driving force behind a free medical clinic in
Oklahoma City. The clinic has operated from a Baptist mission
center for the past 15 years. The free clinic has treated nearly
43,000 indigent people, dispensing medication and providing
referrals when necessary. It is an all-volunteer clinic that
accepts no government funding.
The Hales have founded a network of medical and lay volunteers.
Specialists and dentists are available for referral and two
hospitals have each donated services for patients. After
learning that his patients could not afford to buy prescriptions,
the doctors arranged for donations of medicine as well.
The President extends his deepest appreciation to the Hales for
their outstanding work on behalf of indigents in need of health
care in Oklahoma City. By showing that any definition of a
successful life must include serving others, the Hales are a true
American success story.
END
Memphis Commercial Appeal - Memphis, TN
The largest newspaper in Tennessee, the Memphis Commercial
Appeal on Sunday, July 2, 1989, began a series designed to
highlight 1000 individuals in the Mid-South "whose volunteer
efforts help improve the lives of others." The series,
which is entitled "A Thousand Points of Light," is scheduled
to feature its one-thousandth volunteer around Thanksgiving.
Recognition, Media.
Dr. & Mrs. William Hale - Oklahoma City, OK
Dr. Hale and his wife, a nurse, operate a free medical
clinic, despite the fact that both are stricken with
multiple sclerosis. Since the clinic opened 10 years ago,
the Hales and other volunteer medical personnel have treated
over 42,000 people. Dr. Hale has also arranged for free
medication and hospitalization in some cases, and has
established a network of medical specialists willing to
donate their services for referrals from his clinic. This
is an entirely non-governmental program.
Medical care.
William Warner Johnson -- Washington, DC
A D.C. police officer assigned to the drug-plagued Woodson
Jr. High School in Northeast Washington, Johnson gives young
people a positive alternative to drugs. With his own funds,
he established a weight lifting room in the school, and is
currently in the process of constructing a "mini-mall" for
the students. Following his 8-hour work shift at the
school, he volunteers there an additional 8 hours a day.
Drugs, Youth, Education, Systemic Change.
Richard Andrew McDonough -- Wichita, KS
McDonough, 22, is founder and president of "Hotels/Motels in
Partnership, Inc." He plays matchmaker between social-
service agencies whose clients need emergency shelter and
hotels that are willing to donate empty rooms. In the seven
years since its founding, the program has grown to include
more than 700 hotels in over 300 communities in 45 states.
Since 1986, more than 14,000 battered women, homeless
people, disaster victims and others have been lodged free.
Partnership, Battered Women, Homeless, Disaster Victims.
Helen VerDuin Palit -- New York, NY
Founder and executive director of City Harvest, a New York
food distribution network which collects surplus food from
wholesale markets, restaurants, stores and offices to
distribute to soup kitchens and shelters. Founder of a
similar program in New Haven, CT. Costs are covered by
private contributions.
Food distribution.
Page 3
The Volunteer Project -- San Diego, CA
A very successful center, operated by non-profit agencies
and funded entirely by the private sector, which recruits
and trains volunteers to work on various social service
projects throughout Southern California. From September,
1988 to July, 1989, The Volunteer Project recruited,
trained, and assigned 374 volunteers, who so far have
collectively performed over 209,000 hours of community
service.
Volunteer training.
Aja Henderson -- Baton Rouge, LA
Aja, 14, created her own home-based library to promote
literacy in her Baton Rouge community. She runs the library
for peers who cannot get to the public library because of a
lack of transportation. Additionally, she participates in a
literacy program run by her local church.
Youth involvement, Literacy.
Amy Geren -- Polk County, TN
A divorced mother of two small children, Geren is on welfare
but wants to put something back into the community. She
volunteers with HEADSTART, her church, and a literacy
program at the local Senior Center, where she is teaching a
65 year-old woman to read.
Claim problems as your own, education, literacy, elderly.
Drop-A-Dime -- Boston, MA
A 24-hour anonymous hotline which connects residents with
local law enforcement officials, this program combats the
growing drug and gang problem in Boston and has been
credited with several felony arrests. Officials of the
program also lecture about the dangers of drugs and firearms
in elementary schools and community centers and have
sponsored a forum on gang violence.
Crime, Drugs, Gang Violence.
The Citizens of Hope, New Mexico.
Residents of Hope, NM (pop. 300) volunteered their time to
turn an abandoned school into a new Community Center. The
new Hope Community Center now houses a library, senior
citizens center, and the Hope Police Department (1 person),
among other things. Residents raised part of the money for
the renovation themselves. The remainder was provided by
the county and a federal grant.
Community Action, Using existing resources.
Page 4
Shaheed Watson -- Trenton, NJ
Shaheed is the founder of the Grassroots Movement anti-drug
campaign. The Grassroots Movement is "a community-based
mobilization effort to take back the streets from crack
cocaine dealers." He has helped to organize a "camp out" in
a drug-infested neighborhood in which community leaders
actually slept in tents and intervened in an on-going drug
war in the community. Watson also serves on Gov. Kean's
Council on Physical Fitness and Sports as coordinator of
anti-drug efforts.
Drugs, personal involvement.
Adopt-a-School -- Orange Park, FL
A partnership between Navy Patrol Squadron 45 and the Penney
Farms Retirement Community who have collectively adopted
Green Cove Springs Elementary School. Members of the groups
have served as tutors for at-risk, talented, and non-English
speaking students, supervised field trips, and provided
inspirational talks. When Patrol Squadron 45 goes on
rotation, each child will be adopted by a member of the
Squadron who will correspond with him or her from the ship.
The wives of Patrol Squadron 45 will continue the tutoring
work, as will the retirement community.
Partnership, Education, One-to-One engagement, Elderly,
Patrol Squadron provides an unusual example of an
"institution".
REACH, Inc. Detroit -- Detroit, MI
This neighborhood initiative is fighting to reclaim the
streets of Pilgrim Village, a residential neighborhood in
Detroit, from crack dealers. Under the program crack houses
are purchased by the community, renovated using unemployed
workers trained and supervised by construction engineers
from the community, and sold to drug-free families using
"sweat equity" as a down payment. In addition, Reach has
recently renovated a restaurant to raise operating funds and
staged marches against drug dealers.
Systemic Change, Drugs, Neighborhood Revitalization,
The Shoulder - Houston, TX
A "non-profit 250-bed, free/low-cost, residential, long-
term, drug/alcohol abuse treatment program" combats chemical
dependency. Its facilities include a detoxification center.
The program seems widely supported among the business
community in Houston.
Drugs, Private Sector Initiatives.
Page 5
WWOR-TV A+ for Kids -- Seacaucus, NJ
This is a "total station project" by WWOR-TV to improve the
quality of education in local schools. The project includes
news segments, PSAs, and prime-time specials on various
issues related to education, a program designed to honor
outstanding teachers and disseminate excellent teaching
ideas through workshops, adoption of one of Jersey City's
most troubled high schools, frequent school appearances by
on-air talent, and class tours of the station.
Media involvement, Education, Targeted at most serious
problems.
Edward Castor - Tipton County, IN
Formerly illiterate, this blue collar worker learned to read
and now gives lectures on illiteracy. He also volunteers
his time teaching other to read and has served on the
Governor's Commission on Illiteracy.
Illiteracy.
South Seattle Community and Police Partnership -- Seattle, WA
A formal partnership between the Seattle Police Department
and residents, businesses, and civic groups to pool
resources and jointly attack the area's drug and gang
problem. The program targets the worst areas and groups,
and includes property trespassing and urban revitalization
schemes as well as law enforcement. The Mayor of Seattle
has directed all city government agencies to designate a
liaison with the program.
Drugs, Crime, Gangs, Urban Redevelopment, Partnership.
Carolyn Jackson - Wilmington, DE
Jackson founded and participates in Delaware's 4-H
Therapeutic Riding Program. This program allows handicapped
children to learn to ride horses, an action which also
stimulates muscle development. She donates at least 30
hours/week to the program, supervising a volunteer staff of
at least 20.
Handicapped Children.
G.D. Searle and Company - Chicago, IL
This pharmaceutical company gives free heart medication to
people suffering from high blood pressure and angina. It
encourages other pharmaceutical companies to do the same.
People receiving free medication must first be cleared by
their physicians.
Free Medication, Corporate Philanthropy.
Lawrence Eagle-Tribune - North Andover, MA
This Massachusetts newspaper recognizes a volunteer in its
community every day. They serve as an inspiring example of
what the media can do to encourage volunteerism.
Media, Recognition.
Page 6
Tony Valle - La Hahra, CA
Valle volunteers his time to a program designed to keep kids
out of gangs and trouble. He also helps the elderly in his
community.
Gangs, Youth, Anti-Gang.
Duke Power Company - Charlotte, NC
2300 Duke Power employees volunteered in schools. Drop-out
prevention programs -- professional development classes.
Corporate Philanthropy.
Anchorage Neighborhood Housing Services - Anchorage, AK
700 Citizen Volunteers painted 70 homes in the Anchorage
community to benefit the elderly, disabled, financially
disadvantaged, and single parents.
Citizen Volunteers.
The I Have A Dream Foundation - San Antonio, CA
Provides volunteer tutors to work with disadvantaged
students, encouraging them to stay in school. This
foundation also provides tuition aid for college-bound
students.
Tutoring, Youth, College Aid.
Jack L. Powell - Salisbury, MD
Powell organized a neighborhood food drive in conjunction
with several local organizations which collected 10 tons of
food and clothes for needy families.
Private citizen, excellent results.
Clara Hale - New York, NY
Founder of the Hale House Center, this 84-year old cares for
children born to drug addicts and AIDS patients. She has
provided care for over 600 infants. Hale has been featured
in TIME magazine.
Children, Senior Citizens, AIDS Babies, Health Care.
Ewing Kauffman - Kansas City, MO
The co-owner of the Kansas City Royals, Kauffman established
Project STAR (Students Taught Awareness and Resistance), a
comprehensive program combining community-based initiatives
and a school curriculum which teaches a social skills
approach to drug and alcohol abuse prevention.
Youth, Sports, Drugs & Alcohol.
The Glencastle Project - Atlanta, GA
This project is designed to convert an historic Atlanta jail
into a housing development for the homeless. Homeless
laborers, volunteer professionals (architects, supervisors,
etc.), and major companies are working together to complete
this project.
Systemic Change, Homeless, Using existing resources.
Page 7
Little Ceaser's Love Kitchen - Farmington Hills, MI (nationwide)
This nationwide food chain took pizza on wheels to soup
kitchens around the country. The "Love Kitchen" has fed
nearly 400,000 people across the U.S. and Canada.
Corporate Philanthropy, Hungry, well-known chain.
Bertha Gilkey -- Chicago, IL
President of the Cochran Gardens Resident Management
Corporation, a tenant management operation in Chicago,
Gilkey also lectures other tenant management projects
throughout the nation. She has been featured twice on CBS's
"60 Minutes".
Resident management, anti-drugs.
ATTACHMENT E
Draft Letter from the President
DATE
Dear <insert>:
I have called upon every individual and institution in America to
make community service central to their life and work. By your
active engagement in the lives of those in need, it is clear that
you have heard and responded to this call.
That is why I am pleased to congratulate you and recognize your
outstanding efforts. You have accepted a responsibility toward
your community that must be seen by the rest of the Nation so
that the rest of us may follow your example.
As a people, we must not allow ourselves to be measured by the
sum of our possessions or the size of our bank accounts.
Instead, we must insist that our individual prosperity be
measured in such a way as to include the well being of our
neighbors. From now on in America, any definition of a
successful life must include serving others. You are a shining
example of this new standard of success.
Barbara joins me in sending our warmest regards and best wishes
to you. For being a "point of light, " you deserve the heartfelt
thanks of this Nation.
Sincerely,
G.B.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
POINTS OF LIGHT INITIATIVE:
COMMUNITY SERVICE AS NATIONAL POLICY
"From now on in America, any definition of a successful
life must include serving others."
President George Bush
June 22, 1989
OVERVIEW
yours
Objective: A Nation Transformed by Service
The Points of Light Initiative is a movement to engage all
individuals and "institutions" in America in direct and
consequential action to solve community problems.
I. CLAIM SOCIETY'S PROBLEMS AS YOUR OWN
To call every American and every American "institution" to
engage in solving our most critical social problems in
whatever way they can and with whatever means and skills are
available to them.
II. IDENTIFY, ENLARGE AND MULTIPLY WHAT IS WORKING
To identify successful and promising community service
projects and initiatives, bring news of their existence to
other communities and multiply them throughout the nation.
III. DISCOVER, ENCOURAGE AND DEVELOP LEADERS
To discover, encourage and develop individuals and
"institutions" who are "points of light" and to convince all
Americans that a life that includes serving others is a
meaningful, adventurous and successful life.
CHALLENGE
Though America is at peace and more Americans are enjoying a
greater degree of prosperity than ever before in our history,
we still have work to do. Illiterates, drop-outs, drug abusers,
unwed pregnant teens, delinquent or suicidal young people, AIDS
victims, homeless, hungry, unemployed and lonely, millions of
essentially good people are enduring a waking nightmare of want
and isolation. Each one of these desperate individuals is free
falling through society, as their communities, small as families
and large as neighborhoods, disintegrate all around them. We
must take action, not only because it is morally right, but
because America's continued economic, political and military
strength and global competitiveness demand it. While
government's role is critical, government alone can never meet
this challenge. For what millions of Americans need most is not
another government program, but a set of meaningful relationships
that results in the conviction that their future is not limited
by their present circumstances.
MISSION
The nation's mission must be to solve our most critical social
problems. To accomplish this mission, each individual and
institution must begin to play a direct and consequential role in
community problem solving. The capabilities of communities must
be pooled and channeled to attack comprehensively the multiple
problems of individuals in need. To be a "point of light" is to
serve others with whatever means and skills one has available.
The President believes in the innate desire of every single
American and American "institution" (formal and informal) to be a
"point of light." As we enter the new century, the multiplica-
tion and magnification of "points of light" across the nation
must be America's mission.
STRATEGY
I.
CLAIM SOCIETY'S PROBLEMS AS YOUR OWN
"Our challenge, then, is to [engage] each citizen, school and
business, church and synagogue, service organization and
civic group. For this is what I mean when I talk of a
'thousand points of light' -- that vast galaxy of people
and institutions working together to solve problems in their
own back yard."
President George Bush
June 22, 1989
A.
Every single "institution" in America should develop a
community service initiative (or a family of
initiatives) that every employee or member finds
inviting. Every single person in America should
participate in at least one community service
initiative, through any one of the "institutions" of
which he or she is a part or as an individual. By
"institution" we mean every family, corporation, firm,
school, place of worship, union, club, group or
association, as large as General Motors and as small as
a bowling team. Larger "institutions" are urged to
create service opportunities in each chapter, group,
division, department or other unit, in order to
facilitate participation by everyone.
Community service initiatives should ideally be:
Targeted at those problems that seem most difficult;
Focused on systemic reform;
Structured as a partnership among several
"institutions" with complementary resources so as to
respond simultaneously to the multiple problems
affecting an individual in need.
Examples of "points of light" initiatives or projects that
may be designed to meet these criteria include:
A project like the partnership in Atlanta between a
hotel chain, Days Inn of America, Inc., and a social
service center, that provides mentoring and child care,
housing, meals, job training and employment for the
homeless.
A project like that of Brother Bruce Earl in Detroit
who has mobilized his parishioners to march on
community crack houses every Sunday and, through a
mortgage partnership between the local bank and the
church, buys vacant crack houses and makes these
properties available to parishioners.
B.
The distinctive capabilities of "institutions" and the
unique skills of individuals should be engaged in overcoming
the nation's social problems. This initiative will seek out
the "gift" that each individual and "institution" has and
will encourage the giving of that "gift." For example:
Every television and radio station, newspaper,
magazine, cable system and other media "institution" is
encouraged to awaken all individuals and all
"institutions" to their ability to solve problems, by
relentlessly promoting community service as a national
ethic, spotlighting successful service initiatives,
profiling outstanding community leaders and
"institutions" and informing the public of how to get
involved in community service;
Every credit card issuer, bank, telephone and utility
company is encouraged to include in billing and
statement envelopes printed information about how and
where individuals and institutions can serve others;
Every place of worship is encouraged to make community
service central to the life of their congregations;
Every real estate developer, building contractor,
architect and financial institution is encouraged to
form consortiums to build decent, affordable housing
for the homeless;
Every restaurant, grocery and convenience store and
farm is encouraged to make surplus food available to
the hungry each day.
C.
Every "institution" should create an ethic that places
paramount importance on community service and instills in
each individual and "institution" the conviction that any
definition of a successful life must include serving others.
To accomplish this attitudinal change and "institutional"
restructuring:
Every family is asked to make community service a
regular family activity of premium importance;
Every "institution" is asked to identify and
prominently honor as heroes individual members most
deserving of recognition for their work in the field of
community service;
Every "institution" is asked to identify and
prominently honor as heroes those outside the
institution but within the community who deserve
recognition for their work in the field of community
service;
Every employer is encouraged to include community
service among the factors considered in making hiring,
compensation and promotion decisions;
Every state and local education board is urged to
uphold the value of community service in primary and
secondary schools;
Every college and university is urged not only to
uphold the value of community service, but also to
weigh an applicant's community service record in
admissions decisions;
Every not-for-profit service organization is asked to:
(i) work with one another in a coordinated and
cooperative manner to address more effectively the
multiplicity of problems affecting communities; (ii)
serve as "coaches," bringing their expertise and
insights to those individuals and "institutions" new to
the business of community service; and (iii) build the
capacity to absorb increasing numbers of volunteers in
meaningful roles.
Every young American, age 5 - 25, is challenged to lead
this effort and make community service part of their
daily pattern of living. Through an initiative
entitled "Youth Engaged in Service (YES) to America,"
young people are called to engage in community service.
They are asked to persuade adults and "institutions" to
contribute to youth leadership by devising projects and
initiatives that address the particular needs of young
people and by involving young people in community
service projects that help others.
Like the overall "Points of Light" initiative, YES to
America is not a federal government program, but a
nationwide service movement led by young Americans and
others who are interested in young Americans. As the
President said in an address on June 21, 1989,
"Regardless of the life that you are living, there is
something special about each and every one of you
your
gifts are all different. But you each have a gift that
America needs and I'm asking you to give that gift now
II. IDENTIFY, ENLARGE AND MULTIPLY WHAT IS WORKING
"There is no problem in America that is not being solved
somewhere."
President George Bush
June 22, 1989
A.
Matching Solutions with Problems
Every problem in America is being solved somewhere.
But successful approaches to drug abuse, homelessness,
illiteracy, AIDS, hunger and other social problems are
too often isolated and unknown to others. Successful
ideas and approaches must be moved across the nation by
millions of individuals and "institutions," until the
best ideas and approaches are made known to every
community. In order to show how such ideas may be
found and disseminated by any "institution" or anyone,
a foundation, "The Points of Light Initiative
Foundation," will be established, of which the
President will serve as Honorary Chairman.
Every successful approach to our most dire social
problems must be identified and those who have put such
ideas into action must go to other communities in
search of new leaders with initiative, the will to
succeed and/or access to resources. These ideas will
be spread throughout the nation by: (i) the individuals
and "institutions" who conceive them; (ii) other
individuals and "institutions" who have accepted the
challenge to find solutions and match them to problems;
and (iii) the Foundation itself. Local leaders must
then adapt these tested or promising ideas to fit the
particular needs and conditions of their own
localities.
Every community will be asked to form or to reinvi-
gorate "Points of Light Action Groups," teams as small
as a band of committed citizens, and as large as a
partnership among neighborhood leaders, corporate chief
executives, local management, business associations,
community activists, not-for-profit groups, educational
institutions, media organizations, civic associations,
minority groups, religious denominations and/or local
political leaders. These groups will identify
community problems, marshal community resources and
apply tested or promising solutions to community
problems.
Every kind of "institution," from large and small
corporations and professional firms, to neighborhood
associations, to Boy and Girl Scout troops, will be
asked to donate, either to the Foundation or to local
"Points of Light Action Groups" the services of some of
their most talented and promising people for a period
of time. These extraordinary individuals will form and
lead "peer-to-peer pressure groups,' with, for example,
union members going to fellow union members, teachers
going to fellow teachers, lawyers going to fellow
lawyers, bringing examples of successful initiatives
within their particular area of expertise to others in
the same field and providing training, technical
assistance and other support to enable institutions
without such initiatives to devise and implement them.
This undertaking will be known as the "ServNet"
project.
B. Matching Servers with Needs
Every method for matching potential servers with
community needs will be explored and adapted for the
use of the community service movement.
Every "high-technology" company will be urged to
harness the latest technological advances and apply
them to the success of the evolving community service
movement. Over time, the nation should build a
comprehensive nationwide telephone hotline system, an
interactive computer data base program and an
electronic bulletin board, that would permit people all
across the country to learn of volunteer opportunities
in their own communities and/or about approaches that
are succeeding in their own communities or elsewhere.
These mechanisms will be known as "ServLink."
Every neighborhood will be urged to establish its own
volunteer center where residents may go to learn of
volunteer opportunities and community needs. Such
centers may be in specifically designated places, or
even in church or synagogue basements, union halls,
libraries, fire stations, post offices, service
organization headquarters or neighborhood homes.
III. DISCOVER, ENCOURAGE AND DEVELOP LEADERS
"You can find what you are looking for in helping others.
When it comes right down to it
what all of us want out
of life are two things: meaning and adventure
If you
walk this path with me, I can promise you a life full of
meaning and adventure."
President George Bush
June 21, 1989
A.
Identify Strong and Creative Leaders
Every "institution" and every community contains
dynamic, creative and visionary leaders. If this
community service movement is to succeed, each of these
leaders must be identified and persuaded to devote
their leadership skills, at least on a part-time basis,
to the challenging and rewarding field of community
service.
Every community must give special attention to
identifying and developing new leaders in the field of
community service among young people and older
Americans. The energy and idealism of youth and the
experience of age can combine to contribute much to the
aim of making community service national policy of the
highest priority.
Every "institution" and community will be challenged to
discover, develop and encourage leaders, who have
either demonstrated such achievement or hold the
promise of extraordinary achievement in the field of
community service.
Every community contains ordinary people who have
extraordinary leadership potential in the field of
community service that must be called forth and applied
to the solution of community problems.
B. Recognition and Awards
Every step must be taken by the Foundation to recognize
and reward talented community service leaders and
successful initiatives that are solving the nation's
most critical social problems.
Every "institution" in America will be urged to follow
the Foundation's example by regularly and prominently
recognizing and conspicuously honoring its own "points
of light.'
IV. ROLE OF THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL SERVICE
The Office of National Service will perform the following
key functions:
Activate the innate desire and ability of people and
"institutions" to solve community problems;
Identify exemplary community service initiatives for
purposes of replication and recognition;
Attract to community service and develop those with
leadership potential;
Participate in the formulation of policies to address
problems like drug abuse, education reform and others
whose solution is largely dependent on community
action;
Recommend government policy reforms to strengthen a
nationwide community service movement.
V. CONCLUSION
America's most critical social problems were long in coming and
cannot be solved overnight. But though our problems are great,
our resources are far greater and far greater than we have ever
been led to believe. While there is a critical role for money
and programs, the poet Emerson was right when he said, "The
greatest gift is a portion of thyself."
Never before have the gifts of every individual and "institution"
in America, the galaxy of resources controlled by businesses,
firms, unions, places of worship, clubs, groups and associations,
been joined with those of government and the not-for-profit
sector to attack our problems systemically. Brightened by
millions of points of light across the nation, this initiative
can become the most inclusive movement of our time, dramatically
reversing negative trends on many fronts and ensuring the
fulfillment of America's promise.
11/89
November 15, 1989
MEMORANDUM TO: CHRISS WINSTON
MARK LANGE
STEPHANIE BLESSEY
FROM:
KRISTEN GEAR
SUBJECT:
MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL
I just received a call from Mary Alice Quinn, from the paper,
concerning some additional information we might want to use in
the speech. Sam Cooper, who was featured in one of their first
articles, has just been named the Outstanding Volunteer
Fundraiser of 1989. This award is given by the National Society
of Fundraising Executives, and is presented in March of 1990.
Mr. Cooper already knows he has been chosen. Their idea is to
have the President announce this in his remarks next Wednesday.
There will be ten people on the dias with the President and Mr.
Cooper will be one of them, names of the others will follow.
They are planning on a speech approx. ten minutes in length, I
told them as far as I knew that was what we were planning as
well.
SEB-
Sam Cooper?
Sign In
Name
Affiliation
Phone H
Kris Goodwin
WH Advance
202/456-7565
Terry Carmack
W,H, Political
202-456-6511
KELLEY Gannon
WH Advance
202-456-7565
Kristen Gear
PATRICK SMITH
HSpeechwriting
202-456-2930
WH COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY 202-395-5290
WH
DON ILOFF
OFFICE of NATIONAL Service 202/456 6266
May Ame-The Commercial APPEAL 901-529231
Colleen Conant ME. The Commercial Appeal 901-529-2301 529-2703
Henry Stokes
Asst. M.E., the Commercial Appeal 901
Lionel Linten, Editor The Comment Appel 901-529-2390
marketing Div. The C.A. 901-529-2527
Dave Bonwit Marine Corps Aide to the President 202-456-2150
Dan Petrole USSS
202-395-4011
BOB YOUNG WH COMMO
202-395-4040
Ginny Everett Comm. Appeal Librasian 901-529-2782
HENRY A. STOKES
ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR/PROJECTS
THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL
495 UNION AVENUE
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 38103
901 529-2703
A SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWSPAPER
Please note: there have
been three or four minor
corrections to items in
Points of Light since
July. If you decide to
feature specific individuals
from here, I'll be, pleased
to run a corrections search
to make sure we are not
overlooking an inaccuracy.
11/16/89
M.C. A.
Boe
Tolk w/ Grugg & Clark
Every CO. can do something
asht to look for o way to
recognize someone in their shep
regularly name" pts. of light we
reach 1,000
everyone has something to contribute
M.C. A. has exemplified what the n, 600
individuals have done
Scipps Nott. Assoc. n Hower of 11 Editors Publ. } on DFI
not the best but ex. of those who are
giving
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
POINTS OF LIGHT INITIATIVE:
COMMUNITY SERVICE AS NATIONAL POLICY
"From now on in America, any definition of a successful
life must include serving others."
President George Bush
June 22, 1989
OVERVIEW
Objective: A Nation Transformed by Service
The Points of Light Initiative is a movement to engage all
individuals and "institutions" in America in direct and
consequential action to solve community problems.
I.
CLAIM SOCIETY'S PROBLEMS AS YOUR OWN
To call every American and every American "institution" to
engage in solving our most critical social problems in
whatever way they can and with whatever means and skills are
available to them.
II. IDENTIFY, ENLARGE AND MULTIPLY WHAT IS WORKING
To identify successful and promising community service
projects and initiatives, bring news of their existence to
other communities and multiply them throughout the nation.
III. DISCOVER, ENCOURAGE AND DEVELOP LEADERS
To discover, encourage and develop individuals and
"institutions" who are "points of light" and to convince all
Americans that a life that includes serving others is a
meaningful, adventurous and successful life.
CHALLENGE
Though America is at peace and more Americans are enjoying a
greater degree of prosperity than ever before in our history,
we still have work to do. Illiterates, drop-outs, drug abusers,
unwed pregnant teens, delinquent or suicidal young people, AIDS
victims, homeless, hungry, unemployed and lonely, millions of
essentially good people are enduring a waking nightmare of want
and isolation. Each one of these desperate individuals is free
falling through society, as their communities, small as families
and large as neighborhoods, disintegrate all around them. We
must take action, not only because it is morally right, but
because America's continued economic, political and military
strength and global competitiveness demand it. While
government's role is critical, government alone can never meet
this challenge. For what millions of Americans need most is not
another government program, but a set of meaningful relationships
that results in the conviction that their future is not limited
by their present circumstances.
MISSION
The nation's mission must be to solve our most critical social
problems. To accomplish this mission, each individual and
institution must begin to play a direct and consequential role in
community problem solving. The capabilities of communities must
be pooled and channeled to attack comprehensively the multiple
problems of individuals in need. To be a "point of light" is to
serve others with whatever means and skills one has available.
The President believes in the innate desire of every single
American and American "institution" (formal and informal) to be a
"point of light. As we enter the new century, the multiplica-
tion and magnification of "points of light" across the nation
must be America's mission.
STRATEGY
I.
CLAIM SOCIETY'S PROBLEMS AS YOUR OWN
"Our challenge, then, is to [engage] each citizen, school and
business, church and synagogue, service organization and
civic group. For this is what I mean when I talk of a
'thousand points of light' -- that vast galaxy of people
and institutions working together to solve problems in their
own back yard."
President George Bush
June 22, 1989
A.
Every single "institution" in America should develop a
community service initiative (or a family of
initiatives) that every employee or member finds
inviting. Every single person in America should
participate in at least one community service.
initiative, through any one of the "institutions" of
which he or she is a part or as an individual. By
"institution" we mean every family, corporation, firm,
school, place of worship, union, club, group or
association, as large as General Motors and as small as
a bowling team. Larger "institutions" are urged to
create service opportunities in each chapter, group,
division, department or other unit, in order to
facilitate participation by everyone.
Community service initiatives should ideally be:
Targeted at those problems that seem most difficult;
Focused on systemic reform;
Structured as a partnership among several
"institutions" with complementary resources so as to
respond simultaneously to the multiple problems
affecting an individual in need.
Examples of "points of light" initiatives or projects that
may be designed to meet these criteria include:
A project like the partnership in Atlanta between a
hotel chain, Days Inn of America, Inc., and a social
service center, that provides mentoring and child care,
housing, meals, job training and employment for the
homeless.
A project like that of Brother Bruce Earl in Detroit
who has mobilized his parishioners to march on
community crack houses every Sunday and, through a
mortgage partnership between the local bank and the
church, buys vacant crack houses and makes these
properties available to parishioners.
B.
The distinctive capabilities of "institutions" and the
unique skills of individuals should be engaged in overcoming
the nation's social problems. This initiative will seek out
the "gift" that each individual and "institution" has and
will encourage the giving of that "gift." For example:
Every television and radio station, newspaper,
magazine, cable system and other media "institution" is
encouraged to awaken all individuals and all
"institutions" to their ability to solve problems, by
relentlessly promoting community service as a national
ethic, spotlighting successful service initiatives,
profiling outstanding community leaders and
"institutions" and informing the public of how to get
involved in community service;
Every credit card issuer, bank, telephone and utility
company is encouraged to include in billing and
statement envelopes printed information about how and
where individuals and institutions can serve others;
Every place of worship is encouraged to make community
service central to the life of their congregations;
Every real estate developer, building contractor,
architect and financial institution is encouraged to
form consortiums to build decent, affordable housing
for the homeless;
Every restaurant, grocery and convenience store and
farm is encouraged to make surplus food available to
the hungry each day.
C.
Every "institution" should create an ethic that places
paramount importance on community service and instills in
each individual and "institution" the conviction that any
definition of a successful life must include serving others.
To accomplish this attitudinal change and "institutional"
restructuring:
Every family is asked to make community service a
regular family activity of premium importance;
Every "institution" is asked to identify and
prominently honor as heroes individual members most
deserving of recognition for their work in the field of
community service;
Every "institution" is asked to identify and
prominently honor as heroes those outside the
institution but within the community who deserve
recognition for their work in the field of community
service;
Every employer is encouraged to include community
service among the factors considered in making hiring,
compensation and promotion decisions;
Every state and local education board is urged to
uphold the value of community service in primary and
secondary schools;
Every college and university is urged not only to
uphold the value of community service, but also to
weigh an applicant's community service record in
admissions decisions;
Every not-for-profit service organization is asked to:
(i) work with one another in a coordinated and
cooperative manner to address more effectively the
multiplicity of problems affecting communities; (ii)
serve as "coaches,' bringing their expertise and
insights to those individuals and "institutions" new to
the business of community service; and (iii) build the
capacity to absorb increasing numbers of volunteers in
meaningful roles.
Every young American, age 5 - 25, is challenged to lead
this effort and make community service part of their
daily pattern of living. Through an initiative
entitled "Youth Engaged in Service (YES) to America,"
young people are called to engage in community service.
They are asked to persuade adults and "institutions" to
contribute to youth leadership by devising projects and
initiatives that address the particular needs of young
people and by involving young people in community
service projects that help others.
Like the overall "Points of Light" initiative, YES to
America is not a federal government program, but a
nationwide service movement led by young Americans and
others who are interested in young Americans. As the
President said in an address on June 21, 1989,
"Regardless of the life that you are living, there is
something special about each and every one of you
your
gifts are all different. But you each have a gift that
America needs and I'm asking you to give that gift now."
II. IDENTIFY, ENLARGE AND MULTIPLY WHAT IS WORKING
"There is no problem in America that is not being solved
somewhere."
President George Bush
June 22, 1989
A.
Matching Solutions with Problems
o
Every problem in America is being solved somewhere.
But successful approaches to drug abuse, homelessness,
illiteracy, AIDS, hunger and other social problems are
too often isolated and unknown to others. Successful
ideas and approaches must be moved across the nation by
millions of individuals and "institutions," until the
best ideas and approaches are made known to every
community. In order to show how such ideas may be
found and disseminated by any "institution" or anyone,
a foundation, "The Points of Light Initiative
Foundation," will be established, of which the
President will serve as Honorary Chairman.
Every successful approach to our most dire social
problems must be identified and those who have put such
ideas into action must go to other communities in
search of new leaders with initiative, the will to
succeed and/or access to resources. These ideas will
be spread throughout the nation by: (i) the individuals
and "institutions" who conceive them; (ii) other
individuals and "institutions" who have accepted the
challenge to find solutions and match them to problems;
and (iii) the Foundation itself. Local leaders must
then adapt these tested or promising ideas to fit the
particular needs and conditions of their own
localities.
Every community will be asked to form or to reinvi-
gorate "Points of Light Action Groups," teams as small
as a band of committed citizens, and as large as a
partnership among neighborhood leaders, corporate chief
executives, local management, business associations,
community activists, not-for-profit groups, educational
institutions, media organizations, civic associations,
minority groups, religious denominations and/or local
political leaders. These groups will identify
community problems, marshal community resources and
apply tested or promising solutions to community
problems.
Every kind of "institution," from large and small
corporations and professional firms, to neighborhood
associations, to Boy and Girl Scout troops, will be
asked to donate, either to the Foundation or to local
"Points of Light Action Groups" the services of some of
their most talented and promising people for a period
of time. These extraordinary individuals will form and
lead "peer-to-peer pressure groups," with, for example,
union members going to fellow union members, teachers
going to fellow teachers, lawyers going to fellow
lawyers, bringing examples of successful initiatives
within their particular area of expertise to others in
the same field and providing training, technical
assistance and other support to enable institutions
without such initiatives to devise and implement them.
This undertaking will be known as the "ServNet"
project.
B. Matching Servers with Needs
Every method for matching potential servers with
community needs will be explored and adapted for the
use of the community service movement.
Every "high-technology" company will be urged to
harness the latest technological advances and apply
them to the success of the evolving community service
movement. Over time, the nation should build a
comprehensive nationwide telephone hotline system, an
interactive computer data base program and an
electronic bulletin board, that would permit people all
across the country to learn of volunteer opportunities
in their own communities and/or about approaches that
are succeeding in their own communities or elsewhere.
These mechanisms will be known as "ServLink."
Every neighborhood will be urged to establish its own
volunteer center where residents may go to learn of
volunteer opportunities and community needs. Such
centers may be in specifically designated places, or
even in church or synagogue basements, union halls,
libraries, fire stations, post offices, service
organization headquarters or neighborhood homes.
III. DISCOVER, ENCOURAGE AND DEVELOP LEADERS
"You can find what you are looking for in helping others.
When it comes right down to it
what all of us want out
of life are two things: meaning and adventure
If you
walk this path with me, I can promise you a life full of
meaning and adventure."
President George Bush
June 21, 1989
A.
Identify Strong and Creative Leaders
Every "institution" and every community contains
dynamic, creative and visionary leaders. If this
community service movement is to succeed, each of these
leaders must be identified and persuaded to devote
their leadership skills, at least on a part-time basis,
to the challenging and rewarding field of community
service.
Every community must give special attention to
identifying and developing new leaders in the field of
community service among young people and older
Americans. The energy and idealism of youth and the
experience of age can combine to contribute much to the
aim of making community service national policy of the
highest priority.
Every "institution" and community will be challenged to
discover, develop and encourage leaders, who have
either demonstrated such achievement or hold the
promise of extraordinary achievement in the field of
community service.
Every community contains ordinary people who have
extraordinary leadership potential in the field of
community service that must be called forth and applied
to the solution of community problems.
B. Recognition and Awards
Every step must be taken by the Foundation to recognize
and reward talented community service leaders and
successful initiatives that are solving the nation's
most critical social problems.
Every "institution" in America will be urged to follow
the Foundation's example by regularly and prominently
recognizing and conspicuously honoring its own "points
of light.
IV. ROLE OF THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL SERVICE
The Office of National Service will perform the following
key functions:
Activate the innate desire and ability of people and
"institutions" to solve community problems;
Identify exemplary community service initiatives for
purposes of replication and recognition;
Attract to community service and develop those with
leadership potential;
Participate in the formulation of policies to address
problems like drug abuse, education reform and others
whose solution is largely dependent on community
action;
Recommend government policy reforms to strengthen a
nationwide community service movement.
V. CONCLUSION
America's most critical social problems were long in coming and
cannot be solved overnight. But though our problems are great,
our resources are far greater and far greater than we have ever
been led to believe. While there is a critical role for money
and programs, the poet Emerson was right when he said, "The
greatest gift is a portion of thyself."
Never before have the gifts of every individual and "institution"
in America, the galaxy of resources controlled by businesses,
firms, unions, places of worship, clubs, groups and associations,
been joined with those of government and the not-for-profit
sector to attack our problems systemically. Brightened by
millions of points of light across the nation, this initiative
can become the most inclusive movement of our time, dramatically
reversing negative trends on many fronts and ensuring the
fulfillment of America's promise.
11/89
OCT
05
CORRECTION
Newspaper moved
throughout South
to keep publishing
"Old Reliable." The nickname
was first used about the Mem-
phis Daily Appeal in the 1850s to
connote the newspaper's fidelity
to the Democratic Party. But
never was the phrase more valid
than during the Civil War,
when, despite the disruptions of
38111
war, the newspaper continued to
publish while its staff and
CORRECTIONS
presses were refugees from
& AMPLIFICATIONS
Memphis.
perre MAGNESS
In the first half of the 19th
Past Times
Lonnie Briscoe, 78, of Or-
Century, newspapers made no
ange Mound has two daugh-
pretense of unbiased journa-
tabloid that was to be the la
ters and a son. A story in
lism; instead, their proprietors
edition in its home city for mor
Neighbors last Thursday in-
and editors saw them as organs
that three years. Then, the sta
correctly said he has three
of opinion, whose sole purpose
loaded the press, boiler and typ
daughters.
was to promote causes. From its
on a boxcar and headed sout
founding in 1841, the Appeal
into Mississippi. Three days la
The Appeal newspaper was
hoped that the Union could be
er, the newspaper reappeare
founded in 1840. An incorrect
preserved, and editorialized
with a Grenada, Miss., datelin
date was given in last Thurs-
about the Lincoln-Douglas elec-
publishing an account of the ba
day's Past Times.
tion, "However much we may
tle at Memphis, an editorial sta
Neighbors tries to correct
deprecate the election of a sec-
ing the paper's reasons for lea
promptly any error in fact or
tional candidate, we ought at
ing and its undying faith in th
clarify any misleading infor-
least to give his administration a
Southern cause.
mation appearing in news ar-
trial."
The fate of the newspapers lei
ticles. To report any error or
But by 1861, five southern
in Memphis justified the depai
need for clarification, please
states had seceded, and the Ap-
ture. Some were closed and oth
call 529-2490.
peal editors had decided that the
ers driven into submission b
future of Tennessee lay with the
occupying forces. But copies o
South. The newspaper became as
the Appeal circulated freely il
strong for secession as it had
Memphis, irritating the Union
been against it the year before.
commanders, and acting as
A
As war fever heated up, the
clearinghouse for news of for
newspaper canceled its tradi-
mer residents scattered throug]
tional Christmas and New Year's
the South. Much of the paper'
Story on
holidays, and sent a correspon-
news of what was happening il
dent to Montgomery to report on
Memphis came through Senato
the founding of the Confeder-
bia, where items were collecte
acy. On June 8, 1861, the popular
from travelers, refugees an
vote for secession in Memphis
northern newspapers.
The paper
was 5,608 to five, and the major-
Soon Federal troops advance
ity of the rest of the state agreed.
into northern Mississippi, and
Soon the war was in full swing.
the Appeal moved again at the
In the fall of 1861, fighting in
end of November, this time
the Mississippi Valley brought
south to Jackson. True to the
duringthe Guil was
the realities of war close to
doctrine of states' rights, the edi
home. Fort Henry and Fort Don-
tors pledged, as mere visitors, to
elson fell in the winter of 1862,
abstain from participating ir
and the battle of Shiloh was
state politics. But the time ir
fought in April. The city of Mem-
Jackson was limited, too. The
phis was defenseless, with
last Jackson edition was pub
Union gunboats to the north and
lished on May 14, 1863, and the
an army to the east. The editors,
newspaper fled once again jus
knowing that Andrew Johnson,
as Union troops entered the city
Lincoln's war governor in Nash-
The press was six feet high
ville, had surpressed the pro-
eight feet wide, and 20 feet long
Confederate newspapers there,
so the exodus was quite a pro
made plans for the eventual
duction. Crossing the Pearl Riv
Union occupation of Memphis.
er on a flat with mules, the staff
On June 6, 1862, the Union
loaded onto a train and headed
navy destroyed the Confederate
for Atlanta. One year to the day
fleet at Memphis in less than an
after leaving Memphis, the first
hour. The night before, the Ap-
edition from Atlanta was pub
peal had published a two-page
lished. The Appeal was not alone
DE purchased (and types
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Commercial
THE RIAD MACK
SEARCH NEW MATER ALS:
Appeal's
newsroom.
in Atlanta: the Knoxville Daily
which collected news from all
J. M. Keating wrote of the Ap-
Register and the Chattanooga
over the South. Letters from
peal's survival, "It was one of the
Daily Rebel were also refugees.
Memphians scattered across the
greatest of the useful agencies in
The Appeal settled there for
area were also printed.
the life of the Confederacy, a
more than a year, with a staff of
As Sherman drew closer to At-
16 to 18, only slightly fewer than
constant inspiration to officers
lanta, the newspaper prepared
the prewar staff. Ink and paper
and men alike, and a daily ap-
to move again, and on July 20,
bacame scarce as the war wore
1864, the equipment was shipped
peal to the people to stand by the
on, and a strike for higher wages
to Montgomery. By Sept. 20, the
Confederate government."
by the compositers of Atlanta
staff had reassembled and was
After two years and 10 months
disrupted operation for about a
publishing. There was one final
as a refugee, all that was left, to
week. To conserve paper, a
move to avoid capture. In April
the newspaper was in a Macon
smaller size of type was used,
1865, as Union forces neared, the
warehouse: the large press and
and the daily edition was a two-
large press went to Macon and a
boiler, a small lot of type, and 37
page sheet.
smaller press to Columbus,
boxes of tobacco that had been
Advertising dropped during
where it was captured. By this
taken in payment for a debt. Dill
the war, but circulation swelled,
time the staff had broken up and
returned to Memphis to join his
from less than 2,000 in 1860 to
the equipment stored in a ware-
partner John R. McClanahan in
14,000 in Atlanta. In spite of the
house in Columbus was burned
the difficult task of re-establish-
difficulties, the news coverage
by an Iowa calvary regiment.
ing the Appeal, which had little
was surprisingly complete. Edi-
"One of the most gratifying inci-
more than its name left. That,
torial comment dropped off, as
dents of the fall of Columbus
and the loyalty of readers who
readers wanted straight news:
was the capture of a notorious
had found it to be truly "Old Re-
accounts of battles, casualty lists
Southern newspaper, known as
liable."
and political news. The tele-
the Memphis Appeal," said Gen.
graph was the major source, and
Sources: Thomas Harrison Baker, The
James Wilson. Benjamin Dill,
Memphis Commercial Appeal; The His-
the Appeal was one of the
editor of the Memphis-Jackson-
tory of a Southern Newspaper (Louisiana)
founders of the Confederate.
Atlanta-Montgomery-Columbus
State University Press, 1971). J. M. Keat-
ing, History of Memphis, Tennessee
Press Association, a syndicate
Appeal was arrested.
(1888).
Ex. of Media Pts. of Light
ABC - Unsung Heros (PSA)
CBSNOWS News The Best of Us
ABC News - American Acunda
not always on notl. sender
NYT - editorial 4 Pts of Lt.
Inthe Heardland - - Pts of Lt.
NBC - Assignment Americas -not alwoys
on noth service
(717) 829-9240
The New York Times
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1989
Four Points of Light
Students Are Trained
For the Homeless,
To Tackle Wall Street
A Room and a Job
By James D. Robinson 3d
By Michael A. Leven
N 1982, working with
ATLANTA
AYS INNS of Amer-
I
the New York City
Board of Education,
D
ica has changed the
American Express
lives of 25 homeless
created a two-year
Atlantans over the
program to prepare
past 18 months
high school juniors
through a program
and seniors for jobs
that provides jobs
in the financial serv-
and housing until
ices industry that did
they can afford their
not require a college
own.
education. The pro-
We are not giving
gram, called the
homeless people a
Academy of Finance,
handout, and we are
started with 35 stu-
not taking the easy
dents at John Dewey
road of a corporate
High School in Brook-
contribution to a
lyn. Today, it enrolls
shelter for the home-
more than 2,000 stu-
less.
dents at 40 schools in
Homeless people
16 cities across the
are hired to serve as
nation. More than 150
reservations sales
companies
have
agents at our national
joined us in funding and sponsoring the program.
reservations center in Atlanta. They are paid a fair wage
The Academy of Finance resulted from an unexpected.
of $4.80 to $5.50 an hour and offered housing at a nearby
hiring problem. In the early 80's, American Express,
hotel. The job, we hope, is permanent; the housing, we
growing rapidly, was having difficulty finding enough
hope, is not.
qualified young people to fill entry-level jobs.
At the suggestion of experts, homeless employees pay
This remains a problem today for many companies.
rent of $5, which we match, to meet the hotel's $10-a-day
Often, young adults lack fundamental skills and knowl-
rate for the employees' rooms. We furnish the rooms with
edge. They can't write, let alone operate word processors.
microwave ovens and refrigerators, helping the homeless
They lack mathematical skills: According to a recent
to become as self-sufficient as possible.
study, 43.8 percent of the students in New York City can-
Each homeless employee signs a covenant stating that
not do math problems at their grade level. They can
he or she will not bring drugs or alcohol into the hotel and
barely find the U.S. on a map. They don't understand the
will have no more than one visitor at a time.
fundamentals of teamwork, simple problem-solving or
At the beginning, the program was well-intentioned but
working in an office.
unsuccessful. The first three employees, recruited with-
American Express's program combines classroom in-
out prior screening from homeless shelters, did not work
struction with on-the-job experience. Students are taught
out. One violated the room covenant, another never
in their own schools, by regular teachers trained in the
showed up for work and the third left without giving us no-
academy's curriculum. Classes cover banking and credit,
tice.
securities and global finance, accounting, computer lit-
Though we didn't realize it at the time, there are two
eracy and computer science:
kinds of homeless people: those who want to break their
Outside the classroom, students visit stock exchanges,
cycle of desperation, and those who do not want to work
banks and insurance companies. They attend seminars
and want to remain homeless.
with leading financial industry experts. They work as
We recognized that we needed assistance from social
paid summer interns at American Express and other
service professionals, so we teamed up with the Achor
companies.
Center, a rehabilitation center for homeless women and
In 1986, American Express extended the academy ap-
their children. The center offers job screening, a job train-
proach from finance to the travel and tourism industry by
ing and placement program, and provides child care,
creating an Academy of Travel and Tourism in Britain
meals and lodging.
and, a year later, one in the U.S.
Five of our employees are from the Achor Center and,
The program works; it might even be argued that it
by using the center's screening suggestions, we have been
works too well. Although most students start with no
able effectively to recruit homeless individuals from
thought of higher education, 90 percent of them choose
other sources.
college instead of jobs. We hope they come back to us
Any company could set up a similar program provided
after graduation. In the meantime, we can name several
that three components are present: a job to offer and a
thousand youngsters who will never be considered in-
patient staff to conduct training; a shelter for the home-
competent or unemployable.
less that has a rehabilitation program to screen and
If the academy concept can work for two industries, it
recommend employees; and a nearby hotel that is willing
should work for many others. The unique resources and
to negotiate a reasonable rate.
expertise of American business can be applied to prepare
While setting up the program was a lot of work, it was
students for all kinds of career opportunities in many
worth it. As employees have said, "You've saved my life,"
other areas.
and "You've helped me get back on my feet."
James D. Robinson 3d is chairman and chief executive
Michael A. Leven is president and chief operating officer
officer of American Express
of Days Inns of America.
Rescuing Young Lives
Affordable Insurance
From Rough Streets
Revitalizes Neighborhoods
By C. R. Weaver
By Wayne Hedien
OAKLAND, Calif.
NORTHBROOK, III.
HE EAST Oakland
Youth Development
A
LLSTATE Insurance
T
Company wanted to
Center, sponsored by
find a way to make
The Clorox Company
homeowner's insur-
in the neighborhood
ance affordable and
where the business
available to people in
got started, helps dis-
Chicago's deteriorat-
advantaged children
ing neighborhoods.
and young adults
Providing such insur-
navigate the thin line
ance is a vital part of
between making it
neighborhood revital-
and failure.
ization efforts be-
Take Charlene, a
cause it sends a clear
dropout at 16 who
signal to lending in-
was convinced that
stitutions and busi-
having a baby was
nesses that the neigh-
the ticket out of an
borhood offers a
abusive home situa-
healthy, acceptable
tion; she also consid-
risk environment in
ered suicide. The
which to invest.
counseling program
In 1979, Allstate,
helped her decide
along with 13 other in-
that a high school diploma was a better ticket to freedom,
surances companies, created a full partnership program
and she returned to school.
with Neighborhood Housing Services. This national or-
John, 22, is a high school dropout with no entry-level
ganization, based in Washington, rebuilds neighborhoods
skills who flirted with drugs and crime. He came to the
by pooling the resources of residents, business and gov-
center for basketball. He got. into the jobs program,
ernment and making loans available to residents.
learned how to fill out an application, got practice inter-
Insurers agreed not only to provide financial support
viewing and advice about how to find a job. Today, he's a
for Neighborhood Housing Services, but also to serve on
department store warehouseman.
the organization's boards and committees. Many Allstate
Today, 1,000 young people are enrolled in the various
employees have joined both their national and local
programs. Since 1978, more than 5,000 have come through
boards and serve at all levels.
the doors.
By offering insurance advice through referral services
Clorox executives defined the center's goals partly by
to neighborhood residents, the partnership program has
talking with kids in the neighborhood, which was beset by
made it easier for companies to provide - and for home-
crime, poverty, unwed child-mothers, latch-key kids and
owners to afford - coverage in areas where it had been
drugs. More than half complained, "There's nothing to
difficult to obtain.
do." Community groups suggested other needs: counsel-
In a largely Hispanic neighborhood on Chicago's south-
ing, tutoring, cultural programs.
west side, the percentage of homes insured by private
The core of the center's five-part curriculum is career
companies increased from 76 to 87 percent between 1981
education and job development, which aids 16- to 24-year-
and 1987. This not only made the neighborhood less risky
olds. About 40 percent of the kids are enrolled in this pro-
and more attractive to investors and new business, it also
gram and learn basic skills, office decorum and job-
renewed residents' commitment to stay there and be-
search techniques. They also develop self-confidence,
come part of the revitalization process.
self-esteem and self-worth by finding and keeping jobs.
After-school tutoring helps youngsters 8 to 18 improve
The full partnership concept has spread to 18 of the 139
reading and math skills SO they can function in school. Is
cities across the country where Neighborhood Housing
it working? More than 80 percent of parents and school
Services has programs. In 1988, Allstate launched a $10
administrators surveyed said yes.
million investment program for neighborhood revitaliza-
The arts program exposes children to a variety of art
tion efforts nationwide.
forms - for example, painting, drama, photography -
Last year, in addition to serving on boards and commit-
and enables them to develop salable skills in graphic,
tees, company volunteers in Chicago and throughout the
photo studios, etc.
country helped residents give a face lift to their neighbor-
The counseling program helps children and families in
hoods by adding a new coat of paint to their homes. In
crisis and enables them to avoid crises. The 10-week, teen-
fact, three out of four Allstate employees volunteer for
age parenting program helps young mothers learn proper
similar programs.
child care.
A new, more cooperative spirit between public and pri-
Finally, the physical development program offers ac-
vate institutions is emerging. This spirit will continue to
tivities that develop teamwork and promote healthy exer-
grow if businesses become involved at all possible levels.
cise.
Executives can provide leadership. Employees, volun-
While the East Oakland Youth Development Center
teering their time, can lend physical support: Through
isn't a panacea for neighborhood problems, it's a starting
financial contributions and lending programs, corporate
point for helping young people become productive, self-
America can ease the burden of revitalizing neighbor-
sufficient, properly motivated adults.
hoods.
C.R. Weaver is chairman and chief executive officer of
Wayne Hedien is chairman and chief executive officer of
The Clorox Company.
the Allstate Insurance Company.
Illustrations by Alison Seiffer
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1989
In the Heartland, Points of Light
Janusr Kapusia
Providing Mentors
Advertising the
As Role Models
Importance of School
By John E. Pepper
By John Hall
CINCINNATI
ASHLAND, Ky.
n 1987, Procter & Gamble joined with a local Cincin-
ust a few years ago, students in Pennsylvania's Monon-
I
nati school, Woodward High, to establish Project As-
pire, a program that matches students with volunteer
Woodward has an enrollment of 2,000 in grades 9
through 12, 85 percent of whom are minorities. Like
J
gahela Valley could count on following a generation-
old tradition of working in the area's steel mills. But
"mentors" drawn from the company's ranks.
the decline in the steel industry, once the backbone of
the greater Pittsburgh area's economy, has changed
all that The area's economy has become more di-
many schools across the nation, it struggles with attendance
verse and largely information-based, and the chance
problems, tardiness, disciplinary troubles and an unaccept-
for students to go on from school to work in the mills
able dropout rate. Project Aspire aims to reverse these
no longer exists.
trends by providing mentors to serve as role models. The
To help schools prepare students for careers in this chang-
mentors, much like coaches or guides, work with a program
ing economy, Ashland ou is working jointly with the Mon
coordinator and the student's parents and teachers.
Valley Education Consortium, an action group established in
Project Aspire tries to address the special needs of three
1987 to increase educational opportunities. The group serves
groups of students. With students at high risk of dropping
approximately 40,000 students in 20 area school districts.
out, the goal is simply to keep them in school through
To help students identify careers and the skills needed to
graduation. For students who are planning to seek a job after
get them, Ashland has developed a videotaped program that
high school, the aim is to keep them on a career track. For
is shown in the elementary schools. The program has two
potential college students, the goal is to help them select the
purposes. First, it helps students understand the relevance
right preparatory courses, consider appropriate colleges
of academic subjects to future career opportunities. Second,
and obtain financial counseling.
it emphasizes the importance of getting on a college track at
Currently, 150 Procter & Gamble mentors serve students
an early age.
at Woodward. The mentors help their assigned student for
The tape uses television advertising to illustrate how profi-
five years, from the ninth grade through the year after
ciency in basic reading, writing and math skills is crucial,
graduation. Mentors help the students in a wide range of
not only to the production of a commercial, but to a success-
areas, going far beyond academic tutoring. Thus, a mentor
ful career. Ashland has produced 100 of these tapes for the
may help with something as basic as improving attendance,
Monongahela Valley and has distributed more than 3,000 of
getting to class on time, developing good study habits and
them to schools in Ohio, West Virginis and Kentucky since
thinking more positively about themselves and school.
we started our video program in early 1988.
At a more advanced level, they may show students how to
We believe that presenting the importance of basic skills
develop time-management skills, get involved in community
in an entertaining and informative format will be an effec-
activities, set career goals, complete job applications and
tive tool in keeping students from dropping out of high
write resumes, prepare for job interviews and develop criti-
school. And although the program hasn't existed long enough
cal thinking skills. They guide the college bound through the
for us to see what effect it has on students' career paths,
mase of entrance examinations, applications, college visits
after seeing the video, many of them have indicated for the
and financial aid.
first time a desire to attend college.
While the program is just beginning its third year, there is
The partnership with the Mon Valley Education Consor-
abundant evidence of success. It's premature to tell how
thum is one of several education programs Ashland Oil spon-
many Project Aspire students will graduate, but early re-
sors in the region.We have devoted our entire corporate re-
sults clearly illustrate the difference a mentor can make.
gional advertising budget to promoting education. in four
For example, only 10 percent of the participating students
states where we have operations, Ashland runs televison.
were cited at least once in the preceding year for discipli-
print and radio commercials that emphasize to students the
nary problems, compared with 78 percent of the non-partici-
importance of staying in school.
pants. Just one percent of the students with mentors drop
These commercials also recognize the rele of teachers.
out, compared with 12 percent of those without mentors. And
Studies have shown that teachers are second only to parents
participants in Project Aspire have a 93 percent daily at-
is keeping students in school. Askland believes teachers'
tendance record, as opposed to 87 percent for non-partici-
critical rale needs to be recognized and reinferced.
pants. On average, participating students earn one whole let-
Ashland size places more than 10,000 students - college
ter grade higher than non-participants. Most important, M
campuses,for a day. as a way of encouraging them no stay -
percent of the participants are promoted to the next grade
school. These students, from grades 4 to 9, other - know
level, compared with only 42 percent of non-participants.
what college to about. As enjoyable experience with campus
Why should Procter & Gamble care greatly about the suc-
life encourages them earty on to make cotinge their good.
cess of this program? First, it's important simply to help
The reason for - strong support of education is signple:
meet human development needs.
It's good business. Only'strong educational systems can pre-
Further, by helping individual students reach their full
vide the highly skilled And well-educated employees Ashland
potential, Project Aspire may very well benefit Procter &
needs to moye into the next century. At the same time, only
Gamble. The continued success of the company's business
quality educational systems will produce people with enough
rests on the quality and skills of its employees, precent and
disposable income to purchase our products and the goods
future.
like cars and houses that contain our products
Procter & Gamble will need an educated, dedicated and
Ashland on strongly believes that business-sducation
employable pool of young people in the years to come.
partnerships must be formed if our nation is going to com-
Project Aspire can help supply that need while giving young
pate. Helping schools in one of our primary business regions
people a foundation for measingful and productive lives.
keep pace with changes is a start.
John E. Pepper is president of The Procter & Gamble Com-
John Hell is chairman and chief executive officer of Askland
pany.
OR, Inc.
January 10, 1988
MEMORANDUM
RE: 1,000 Points of Light
The following is a list of people NBC News covered on their
Assignment America segment. I selected the few that I thought
would be interesting to the Administration.
"Christmas Spirit" -- Wayne and Joy Davis have opened their
hearts and home to dozens of people this year. They started
doing this after Wayne fell 40 feet, while putting on a new roof.
He broke his back, crushed his leg and was unable to work for 8
years. He was told he would never walk again. When Wayne got
strong enough to return to work he vowed to open their home to
those who have none (12/23/88).
"Mean and Clean" -- a group of bikers in Saugus, Massachusetts
go around counseling high school kids about the dangers of
alcohol and drugs. At first the townspeople distrusted the
bikers, but they soon realized they had a message for the young
(6/17/88).
"Doc Thomas" -- Dr. Fred C. Thomas, a black physician, who is
treating people in a county that years ago ran blacks out of town
or lynched them. He decided to stay in Lafayette, Tennessee
because of an injury to his sister. He just wants to heal
people (7/1/88).
"Finding their Way" -- Dani Marshall, a case manager with Horizon
House in Philadelphia, who works with people who are homeless and
mentally ill (8/26/88).
"Reach for the Sky" -- A summer camp in Julian, California for
children who have cancer or had cancer at one time (9/2/88).
"Higher Education" -- Julianne Barry, a young Californian woman,
who went to college and dreamed of a good job, etc. after school.
She went to Tecate, New Mexico and worked at Rancho San Juan
Bosco, a school for boys. It was here that she learned of her
life's direction (10/28/88).
"Protection Island" -- Bill and Suzanne Sterling have fought to
save Protection Island, Washington for some 60-thousand sea birds
in Puget Sound. After a ten year fight, Congress and the
President made the island a national refuge and the Sterlings are
volunteer caretakers (11/11/88).
"Cranks Creek" -- Becky and Bob Simpson have helped their
neighbors in Cranks Creek, Kentucky, eventhough they live the
same hard life that they do (11/23/88).
"Winning and Losing" -- Camp Kilpatrick in Los Angeles is a way
station for street kids, etc. who are not quite old enough to go
to jail. Henry Vargas and other counsellors at this camp got the
idea that these kids could learn something from football. They
got into the playoffs and eventually lost, but they learned a lot
about the game of life (12/2/88).
On-the-go retiree
not growing old
A good man is hard to find, and
Blindness no bar
David Balkin especially so.
Sitting by the phone he is not.
to a complete life
On a given day, one might
A major metropolitan bus sys-
catch Balkin, 71, pitching in at
tem is difficult enough to figure
the Crisis Center, going to the
out with all five senses at one's
Bank president
grocery for shut-ins, or deliver-
command. But it doesn't intimi-
counsels teens
ing Meals on Wheels,
date Mary Dettor of Whitehaven,
For example, he's a mainstay
even though she is blind.
Don Stone was full of good in-
in the Compeer program, the
"I always go to the Alliance for
tentions in 1984.
matching service offered by the
the Blind office that way, and I
After hearing a presentation
Mental Health Society of Mem-
take it to go uptown," she said.
about the Jonesboro, Ark., pub-
phis and Shelby County, which
Not only is she fearless about
lic school's alternative program
pairs mental
what she'll take on - she has
for students at
health clients
been snow skiing and would like
risk, he in-
with individ-
to try hot-air ballooning - but
tended to stop
uals trained to
she also feels strongly about
by. Maybe
help and care.
sharing her experience and
even volun-
Balkin and his
strength with others who are
teer.
58-year-old
losing their sight.
He didn't.
friend have
Mrs. Dettor, 72, is credited
It was a year
been together
with starting the Alliance for
later, another
two years.
the Blind's first peer counseling
luncheon and
"I usually
group. "The object was to give
similar
see him every
them support in how things
speech by the
week. We'll go
could be done with loss of vi-
same woman.
Balkin
Stone
and get a
sion, and to demonstrate the
"She was giv-
snack or go to the ZOO or to a ball
idea that you could still social-
ing a talk and she said several of
game. We get along real well. He
ize," Mrs. Dettor said.
you said you were coming down,
forgets recent things, but he can
Group philosophy focuses on
including Don Stone, and you
tell you in detail anything that
staying in the solution, not the
never did," Stone recalled. Em-
problem. In addition to picnics
barrassed by his previous fail-
and Christmas parties, the sup-
ure, he said, "I was out there at
port group has visited several
1:15 that day."
tactile exhibits, including Dr.
That was four years ago and
happened 50 years ago," Balkin
John Hughes' reproductions of
Stone, who is president of Sim-
art works for the visually im-
mons First National Bank of
said.
Other times, he's at the Crisis
paired.
Jonesboro, is still giving his
time to help convince teenagers
Center, listening to callers in
"Mary works with other blind
crisis. No doubt, he got his back-
people to share her skills and to
to stay in school. "No one has
ease them through the loss of vi-
gone to college yet, but we have
ground as a government person-
sion," said Greta Tyler, execu-
one or two who have the real po-
nel director for 36 years.
tential to go," he said.
"We counsel people by tele-
tive director of the Alliance for
the Blind.
The other day, Stone said he
phone. Whatever their crisis
might be, we don't tell them
"To be honest, it does seem to
noticed that one of the students
what to do. We just suggest two
make an impression on them
was washing the windows across
the street. "I just walked over to
or three things they might do to
that I still could function," Mrs.
hug him. He's been drug-free for
get out of their crisis. A lot of
Dettor said. "I have a guard dog
about two weeks. We do a lot of
people who call and say they're
and can walk most places I need
hugging here."
going to commit suicide aren't
to go on a daily basis. I get my
The children and teenagers
going to do it. They're seeking
own groceries; I just go often be-
cause I can't take much home in
Stone counsels are society's dis-
sympathy," he said.
one arm. Once every couple of
posable children - ones who
Then there's his MIFA meal
have been abandoned or who
route on Wednesday, when he
months I ask a friend to go with
have never known the comforts
delivers anywhere from 16 to 21
me for the heavy shopping."
Mrs. Dettor, who is married
of having a real home or ones
meals on wheels.
In his spare time, he reads
and the mother of one, is also a
who have little or no care be-
volunteer in the Mental Health
cause their parents are alcoho-
mail and balances checkbooks
lics or drug addicts. "I get tears
for two elderly friends.
Society's Compeer calling pro-
in my eyes just talking to you
And all this, he says, takes up
gram, a supplement to their
only 14 hours a week. Pshaw.
Compeer program. Mrs. Dettor
about it," he said.
"I'll do anything to keep busy,"
calls two elderly clients several
While Stone was nudged into
volunteering, he has no regrets
Balkin explained. "The most im-
times a month, and for at least
in spending time with those
portant thing for a retired per-
one, it may be the only time her
teenagers who are starved for af-
son is to keep the upstairs busy.
phone rings all week.
fection and attention: "We ought
You grow older, but you don't
"Compeer calling is just to
keep in touch until they can find
to contribute to the community
grow old."
a permanent friend for them,"
that contributes to us."
she said.
- By launching this magnificent recognition program, The
Commercial Appeal is proving to be a most successful publication.
- By following your lead, other institutions can become
successful too.
- Thank you, God bless you and God bless the United States of
America.
spirit of Thanks ev. day
offered hands
some can only thank you with their refe. Some are too
angry, itoo young, too old, too sick to Harlyou.
praising bed though good works
Memonis
background
A little Gewspaper
Today's newspaper has garnered scores of individual
awards for the exceptional work of various editors, writers,
artists and photographers. Both William Thomas and
Rheta Grimsley Johnson have been inducted into the
Scripps Howard Hall of Fame. The prestigious Ernie Pyle
award also has been given to these two writers for their
outstanding human interest reporting.
The Commercial Appeal was the 1986 first-place winner of
HONORIS
the Edward Willis Scripps Award for "outstanding public
services in the cause of the First Amendment guarantee of
a free press," based on their efforts to keep public records
open.
Today's challenges are more complex for a newspaper
serving a metropolitan area of nearly one million in
AWARDS MA UNIV
population as compared to the muddy river town of 1,700
in Van Pelt's day. But the desire to inform and appeal to
the conscience of its hundreds of thousands of readers
throughout the region who look to it for news, information,
entertainment and opinion each day hasn't changed.
Champion of the public's interest in the Mid-South. That's
been. The Commercial Appeal's position for nearly a
century and a half. And SQ shall't be in the future
NEW
By Lynn Saunders
Open doors
help visitors
feel at home
By Jim Terrell
7/9/
MARY
Clouse,
63,
has put up
housand
enough out-
of-town peo-
POINTSof
ple for the
Light
night to join
the ranks of
local legends
in lodging.
With two La Sertoma Club
friends who have since left
Memphis, she founded a center
in 1984 to provide accommoda-
tions for relatives of patients
hospitalized here for extended
stays.
The Hospital Hospitality Cen-
ter at St. Peter Village on Poplar
has since housed 3,200 individ-
uals from 40 states and 22 coun-
tries. Renamed the Hospital Hos-
pitality House, it is scheduled to
move Monday to its own build-
ing, a two-story house at 1169
Linden.
Mary, who lives in East Mem-
phis, and her friends discovered
the need for the facility after
they started the Organ Trans-
plant Fund Inc. in 1983 to help
pay for transplant medical ex-
penses. "We found there were
rélatives of patients who were
staying for months in intensive
care waiting rooms," says the
former public relations-adver-
tising woman. "A lot of them, we
took home with us."
After her friends moved -
Elyse Waldheim to Maumelle,
Ark., and Liz Hull to Milan,
Tenn., Mary, who spent 20-40
hours per week on the project,
turned to finding a permanent
home for the hospitality center.
In 1985, the Somerville native
was chosen La Sertoma Interna-
Mary Clouse helps clean Hospital Hospitality House.
tional's Woman of the Year and
in 1987 she and her husband Jim
iliary probation service, over-
seven children. Mrs. Donahue
Clouse were co-recipients of the
seeing the training and volun-
said she and her husband volun-
Memphis Exchange Club's Gold-
teer work of 425 officers. The
teer because they are "blessed
en Deeds award for their work
volunteers also are going a step
with age and are able."
with the two programs she
further with two-programs: Pro-
helped launch.
bation Plus and BYPASS. Proba-
Truckdriver Tommy
During the Vietnam War, she
tion Plus continues checking on
Smith, 50, of Paragould
organized the local Marine Re-
a youngster's progress six
never thought of himself as a
serve Officers' Wives to assist
months after probation. BYPASS
hero, but last August, he pulled
the Marine Corps Civic Action
helps children who are on the
two people from a burning car in
Program in Vietnam. Later she
borderline of trouble. The vol-
Ohio. Even though he burned
handled public relations and
unteers are hoping their efforts
his arm and singed His beard,
worked with families in Arkan-
will help kids bypass a juvenile
Smith's heroism wasn't over.
sas for VIVA, the organization
record if they can work with
The man he pulled from the
that used the bracelet program
them before instead of after
wreckage stopped breathing. "I
to keep the public aware of pris-
the fact. "We require a high com-
told him, 'Now, you can't die on
oners of war in North Vietnam.
mittment from our officers,"
me, not after all this,' Smith
yes
said Lunsford, who has been
said. Even though he had never
Other points of light in the
with the program for 15 years.
been trained in mouth-to-mouth
Mid-South:
resuscitation, Smith revived the
Elizabeth 'Betty' and Ed
man before the paramedics ar-
burning
Stephen L. Lunsford and
Donahue spend Monday
rived. Goodyear The and Rub-
424 other officers are the
mornings reading highlights
ber Co. named him America's
'legs' of the juvenile court sys-
from local newspapers through
National Highway Hero for 1988.
tem. If a youngster is placed on
a special radio broadcast for the
supervised probation, it's Luns-
blind from the public library.
Retired telephone opera-
ford not the paid probation of-
On Tuesdays the couple delivers
tor Louise Chipley, 81,
ficers - who visits the boy or
meals for MIFA to senior citizens
spent 41 years working at the
girl at home or at school. By day,
who are less fortunate than
telephone company. Now, every
Lunsford, 45, works for First
they. Donahue, 77, is a retired
Saturday Miss Chipley volun-
Tennessee Bank. After hours,
traveling hardware salesman.
teers as a receptionist at the St.
he's the deputy chief of the aux-
His wife, 74, retired after raising
Peter Manor where she also dis-
tributes the home's newsletter
and the birthday cards to resi-
A Thousand Points of Light
dents. She's also active in the Ep-
worth United Methodist Church
The Commercial Appeal is featuring a thousand people in the
where she has taught Sunday
Mid-South who make life better for others by their voluntary efforts.
School for 40 years.
To suggest people for this feature, please fill out this coupon and
L. J. Witherspoon, 70,
send it to:
A Thousand Points of Light
can't stay off the tele-
The Commercial Appeal
phone. As a government con-
Box 364
tract administrator in Jackson,
Memphis, TN 38101
Miss., he spent much of his job
doing business by telephone
and retirement finds him still
on the horn. In the past 4½
Name of nominee:
years, he has logged 2,000 hours
on the information desk at Jack-
His or her address:
son's University Medical Center
in what hospital officials de-
Nominee's phone: home
work
scribe as a most stressful job. "I
accepted right away. It was a nat-
Here's what this person does to help others:
ural for me," he says of the call
for volunteer service that came
first for his wife Billye. "I think
it's the greatest thing that ever
happened. I wish more people
would do it."
Jim Terrell is a staff reporter
for The Commercial Appeal. The
Commercial Appeal is featuring
Your name:
phone:
)
a thousand people in the Mid-
South who make life better for
others by their voluntary ef-
Animals have
In the home she and her hus-
bwn advocate
6
band have in the Kirby Woods
area, Mrs. Bozeman has ah as-
Like á bloodhound on a scent
sortnment of dogs and cats, most
Ginny Bozeman sniffs out
of whom came fròm the Humane
homes for animals in custody of
Society shelter. Two of the dogs
the Memphis Humane Society.
were cruelty cases.
She usually gets her human.
"You get 'em home and you
First,
she
think, well, I'll find a home for
gives the pro-
them. And then the right person
spective own-
doesn't come along, so I just end
ers the third
up keeping them,' Mrs. Boze-
degree: "I as-
man said.
sess the gen-
eral attitude
of the person
and try to de-
termine if
they really
want a dog,
Mrs. Bozeman
and if they
want it for the
right purpose."
If they pass that test, she grills
them a little more: "If they have
a little child, they don't need a
tiny puppy. They need a dog
that's a little older and more tol-
erant. The same goes for baby
kittens they can haul around; an
older cat is better. If they want a
dog that's over 30 or 35 pounds,
you've got to have a fenced
yard."
And with one wrong move,
they end up right back where
they started, injured, neglected
or abused.
If 10 years as a volunteer has
made her a little hard-nosed,
well, she's seen too many un-
happy endings.
"Almost all of the animals that
end up here have been injured.
They come out of some kind of
trauma. Many of these animals
we've put a great deal of money
into, so we want to be as sure as
we can that the dog isn't going to
go through that kind of thing
again. We want it to be a perma-
nent home, so the animal won't
be brought back like a piece of
furniture."
But Mrs. Bozeman, 65, also
treasurer of the Humane Soci-
ety's board of directors, is a
pushover for a hard luck story.
On-the-go retiree
happened 50 years ago," Balkin
not growing old
said.
A good man is hard to find, and
Other times, he's at the Crisis
David Balkin especially so.
Center, listening to callers in
Sitting by the phone he is not.
crisis. No doubt, he got his back-
On a given day, one might
ground as a government person-
catch Balkin, 71, pitching in at
nel director for 36 years.
the Crisis Center, going to the
"We counsel people by tele-
grocery for shut-ins, or deliver-
phone. Whatever their crisis
ing Meals on Wheels.
might be, we don't tell them
For example, he's a mainstay
what to do. Wę just suggest two
in the Compeer program, the
or three things they might do to
matching service offered by the
get out of their crisis. A lot of
Mental Health Society of Mem-
people who call and say they're
phis and Shelby County, which
going to commit suicide aren't
pairs mental
going to do it. They're seeking
health clients
sympathy," he said.
with individ-
Then there's his MIFA meal
uals trained to
route on Wednesday, when he
help and care.
delivers anywhere from 16 to 21
Balkin and his
meals on wheels.
58-year-old
In his spare time, he reads
friend have
mail and balances checkbooks
been together
for two elderly friends.
two years.
And all this, he says, takes up
"I usually
only 14 hours a week. Pshaw.
see him every
"I'll do anything to keep busy,"
Balkin
week. We'll go
Balkin explained. "The most im-
and get a
portant thing for a retired per-
snack or go to the zoo or to a ball
son is to keep the upstairs busy.
game. We get along real well. He
You grow older, but you don't
forgets recent things, but he can
grow old."
tell you in detail anything that
cause he is working at Burger King. A
retired British Airways employee,
MEMPHIS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1989
A15
Chapman likes helping others. A
handyman who enjoys gardening, he
always lends a hand to neighbors. "I
like volunteer work and helping oth-
ers," he says. "It's right to do. I make
friends with patients and nurses at the
hospital."
Lisa Noon has been skating since
she was 9 and she traveled exten-
sively with the Ice Capades show before
taking a job as an instructor at the Ice
Capades Chalet in the Mall of Memphis.
Because she likes skating so much, she
has shared her enthusiasm with handi-
capped children ages 7 to 18. Ms. Noon,
25, coaches them on her own time} and
some of her students have gone on to
win competitions. "They try harder and
aren't as afraid to do things as other
kids," says Ms. Noon, who lives in Shel-
by County.
Five days a week Bethel Row-
land, 77, does volunteer work. At
least once a week she goes to the Mem-
phis Veterans Medical Center, as she
has done for the past seven years, even
when sick with cancer. "I work with
the quadriplegics, paraplegics and am-
putees," says the retired nurse. "Any-
one who sees them won't complain
about little things like cancer. Few of
them are Memphians so they have little
family here and need a friendly word."
On the other weekdays Ms. Rowland
W. S. 'Babe' Howard at Millington's Legion Field
works at the Ed Rice Community Cen-
ter in her neighborhood of Frayser. She
Millington resident built
has also been helping prepare Metro-
politan Inter-Faith Association Meals
on Wheels for 10 years.
own 'field of dreams
"We're God's hands, eyes and
feet, and if we don't help, who
will?" asks Rubystine Yancey of South
since 1986 for the Christmas food bas-
Memphis. Mrs. Yancey is an LPN at the
By Jim Terrell
ket telephone hotline operated by
Regional Medical Center at Memphis
Navy wives from Millington.
and despite the demands of her job and
Other points of light:
family, always finds time to assist fami-
W.
S. 'Babe' Howard, 63, of Milling-
ly, friends, neighbors and anyone who
ton, went actor Kevin Costner
Following her mother's example
needs her. She cleans up and does wash
one better.
of voluntarism, Jane Wilcox has
for the homebound, and if someone
In last summer's baseball fantasy
helped others all her life. Recently the
needs a ride is glad to take them. At
movie, Field of Dreams, Costner
Memphis State University English
White Stone Baptist Church, Mrs. Yan-
starred as an Iowa farmer who fol-
teacher "just called up the penal farm
cey assists with Sunday school and is a
lowed a voice that told him to turn his
to see what I could do.) Now she teaches
choir member
cornfields into a field where ghosts of
crocheting there to eight to 13 inmates
baseball legends would come to play.
a week and they are working on making
Jim Terrell isa reporter for The Com-
Build a field and
lap robes and house shoes for nursing
mercial Appeal. Other writers have
they will come,
home residents. Ms. Wilcox also got
contributed to these profiles. The news-
the voice told
books for inmates and has been tutor-
paper is featuring a thousand people in
ing an inmate through the Memphis
the Mid-South who make life better for
him.
Howard, presi-
housand
Literacy Council's Each One Teach One
others by their voluntary efforts.
dent of Milling-
program. At her church, Central
POINTSof
ton Telephone
Church, the East Memphian is a mem-
Co., built $1.5 mil-
Light
ber of the choir and participates in cho-
lion Legion Field
ral programs throughout the area. She
in a cotton field in 1981 to attract the
directs the Kinder Choir, works in the
American Legion World Tournament.
nursery on Sunday mornings and has
And his field, which hosted the Le-
helped set up computer programs for
gion tournament last year, has made
the church. "God is very important to
Millington an international capital for
me," she says.
amateur baseball.
Howard, who hasn't seen the movie,
When Harry Johnson was asked
says he didn't hear voices telling him
to become a literacy volunteer,
to build a field. But the amateur teams
the guidance counselor at Bolton High
came, anyway, from Russia, Cuba, Ko-
knew that it was something he wanted
rea, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, Australia
to do. "I saw kids in ninth grade who
and Mexico.
couldn't read. It's an extreme handi-
The U.S. Olympic baseball team has
cap," says Johnson, 70, now retired.
made his Millington facility its head-
That was 13 years ago. He asked to work
quarters. And in March, the field will
in the north Shelby County area be-
host the first baseball game between
cause he saw a great need there and has
the Air Force and Navy academies.
worked with promotion, publicity and
"The same people that put in the
recruiting for Each One Teach One.
Rose Bowl lights put in our lights,"
The Cordova resident is also with the
said Howard, who is a member of
Speakers Bureau, talking to church
American Legion Post No. 1 and the
groups and at special meetings to ex-
Lions Club. "The field is second to
none."
plain about the program. Through pris-
on ministry, Johnson works with
Baseball is the No. 1 sport in Milling-
young people released from prison with
ton, with about 700 youngsters in the
no follow-up guidance. "Serving people
program, and the Memphis Naval Air
is what I feel I must do," Johnson says.
Station at Millington has joined in
hosting visiting baseball teams.
"After my wife died (I thought) I
"This is where I've made my money,
was going to lose my mind, says
so this is where I should spend my
Alfred Chapman of East Memphis. "So I
money," says Howard, who with his
started working." He volunteered to
wife Ann has four children and six
help in the cancer unit at Methodist
grandchildren. "The town's been good
Hospital, working eight or nine hours a
to me, I really owe the town a lot.
day, twice a week. Chapman, 76, has
Howard has helped improve life for
since curtailed his visits somewhat be-
the poor in Memphis, donating his
company's facilities and equipment
7/24/89
THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL
VIEWPOINT
'If you' been there you know'
port the project.
her clothes and mops her floors.
By Stacie Ratliff
Meanwhile, Ms. Taylor, who over the
years has opened her home to young
When Celeste Wray's husband,
adults and senior citizens, most unedu-
Harmon Wray, died 3½ years
Mary Taylor
has
cated and poor, is allowing two home-
ago, she felt a need to become involved
traveled from the
less people to live with her. She has
to fill the gap in her life. Her first vol-
welfare trap to com-
helped a mother and her seven chil-
unteer effort was with Methodist Home
Thousand
munity service's in
dren, an ex-offender and even an inva-
Care Service's hospice program, which
fluential fast track
lid.
had helped her while her husband was
POINTSof
in just a few years.
Ms. Taylor describes her assistance as
ill. Mrs. Wray, 67, who lives near Coro
Light
"I used it and it
a "Band-Aid approach. She helpsito re-
Lake, acts as a friend to patients with
used me," she says of
habilitate them while they make the
terminal illnesses, giving family
her 16 years on wel-
transition to mainstream society
members time to get out of the house
fare and govern-
"We all have a place to be a part of the
and run needed errands. "You do what-
ment-subsidized programs. "I never felt
system no matter what level we are on.
ever you can," Mrs. Wray said. "You be-
a part of America, but once I realized I
If you've been there, you know what the
come a friend to the family." Since be-
was a part, it changed my life signifi-
pains and aches are like."
coming a volunteer with Methodist
cantly.'
Other points of light in the Mid-
Home Care Service, Mrs. Wray has ex-
The 38-year-old Midtown community
South:
tended her community service work to
activist remembers that as a poor, un-
the Church Health Center one day a
educated teenage mother of three she
You could say Flocene S. Murphy
week; Separate Prisons, a support group
felt rejected by society.
was drawn to volunteer service.
for families of inmates; the food pantry
But by 1986, she started attending
The Community Bible Study leader vol-
and soup kitchen at St. John's United
Shelby State Community College along
unteers as an artist, drawing pastel Bi-
Methodist Church; a Sunday school
with her daugh-
ble illustrations to the accompaniment
class at St. John's, and soon, a prisoner
ter. Together,
of hymns and Christmas songs. Her au-
visitation and support program at the
they founded
diences have ranged from Bellevue
Federal Co rectional Institution.
Students,
Baptist, where she is a longtime mem-
Mothers and
ber, to the Shelby County Penal Farm.
Mark Billingsley, once apprehen-
Concerned Citi-
"I feel I have inspired a few people in
sive about working with handi-
zens,
or
art," says the widow of T. Velmer Mur-
capped children now champions their
(SMACC), an or-
phy. For 23 years an art teacher for
cause. The year-old East Memphian
ganization that
Memphis City Schools, she retired at
began serving the Memphis Associ-
assists the home-
Sheffield High School in 1975, turning
ation for Retarded Citizens (MARC)
less, welfare re-
her attention to a five-year Bible Study
when he was 16. "After a few days, I
cipients, the un-
Fellowship program. She delivered
came to understand the kids were no
employed and
food for MIFA's Meals on Wheels pro-
different than normal children," he
the underem-
gram, and in 1977 fulfilled a long-held
says of his experience then at Camp
ployed. While
ambition of following the example of
Pinecrest in Moscow, Tenn. Billingsley
the group helps
Dr. Karl Steele of Wheaton College, an
has been a counselor, respite supervi-
underprivileged
Ms. Taylor
artist noted for his biblical illustra-
sor and assistant director-business
citizens, it en-
tions done on evangelistic tours.
manager at the camp. The only group of
courages them to help themselves.
its kind in the Mid-South, Boy Scout
Initially, the group worked to change
Ruth Burton, 73, of Frayser,
Troop 701, which he started two years
rulings at SSCC it believed were unfair
hasn't let surgery earlier this
ago, serves 30 mentally and physically
to economically disadvantaged stu-
year stop her from helping her neigh-
handicapped boys. The insurance agent
dents, but recently the focus has been
bors and friends. "I just love the Lord
plans to return to college and pursue
on improving the community. Ms. Tay-
and I love to do for people. It makes me
courses that would help him realize
lor says the primary objective of the
feel good," says Mrs. Burton of her vol-
dreams of expanding recreational acti-
group is to strengthen communication
unteer services. To some, she might be
vities or opening a residential facility
between underprivileged citizens and
considered indispensable. A retired
for handicapped children.
public entities such as housing, educa-
worker for AT&T, she has allowed two
Stacie Ratliff is an intern for The
tion, transportation and human ser-
troubled teenagers and a married cou-
Commercial Appeal. The Commercial
vices.
ple to live in her home for months at a
Appeal is featuring a thousand people
Ms. Taylor is manager of the Dunna-
time because they had no place to go.
in the Mid-South who make life better
vant Street Neighborhood Project. She
She picks up an elderly woman from a
for others by their voluntary efforts. To
says neighborhood children will have
nursing home in Collierville, takes her
suggest people for this feature, please
the opportunity to earn salaries by ini-
to church in Frayser, and lets her spend
write us with, the nominee's name, ad-
tiating their own clean-up project. This
the night at her home. "She loves
dress, phone number and a brief de-
will help beautify the community and
church and she gets to see her friends,"
scription of the nominee's volunteer
give children constructive work at the
says Mrs. Burton, mother of four. She
work. Mail to: A Thousand Points of
same time. Financial support from HUD
takes another elderly woman to the
Light, The Commercial Appeal, Box 364,
and funds raised in the community sup-
doctor, gets groceries for her, washes
Memphis, Tenn. 38101.
MEMPHIS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1989
THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL
A9
VIEWPOINT
Outdoor service was a natural
A Thousand Points of Light
The Commercial Appeal is featuring a thousand people in the
said business manager Vicki Bass. "We,
to help them understand concepts we
Mid-South who make life better for others by their voluntary efforts.
By Steve Gaither
really appreciate our volunteers like
just take for granted.' And with six
To suggest people for this feature, please fill out this coupon and
Mrs. Wilson.'
children her family, she still has
send it to:
Mrs. Wilson's own two-acre yard has
time for young people in her church's
A Thousand Points of Light
LOIS
WILSON
several gardens featuring wildflowers
confirmation classes.
The Commercial Appeal
loves gardening and:
Box 364
and native plants: She said going to the
the outdoors
SO
nature center seemed a natural for her.
Robert Henry, 53, of Raleigh
Memphis, TN 38101
housand
much she drives two
Other points of light in the Mid-
was volunteer when it was just
to three times: a
South:
a game. That was a decade ago, as a Dis-
POINTSof
week from a farm
abled. American Veteran helping run
Name of nominee:
Light
near Joiner, Ark., to
Donna McLarty; 41, of Little
bingo games for patients at the old Vet-
volunteer her time
Rock, takes kids to heart: A
erans Hospital. Now retired from civil-
His or her address:
at one of the last bas--
housewife and the mother of two teen-
ian employment at the Memphis Naval
tions of nature in
age sons, she has helped with children
Air Station at Millington, Henry volun-
Nominee's phone: home
work
East Memphis
and family vice programs since her
teers two days a week, working with
Mrs. Wilson donates about 15 hours a
early 20s. These days she works about 10
families of patients in. the intensive
Here's what this person does to help others:
week to the Lichterman Nature Center
hours a week in roles from fund-raising
care unit at the Department of Veterans
plus the two-hour roundtrips.
to children's issues for her "real love,
Affairs, Medical Center. "I have a good:
really like it." Mrs Wilson said. "P
the Centers for Youth and Families; but
idea what goesson up there," says the
even like to clean seeds. Icould do itev-
prior service as the center's board
former Marine, himself partially para-
ery day.
chairman demanded longer hours. "I"
lyzed after three strokes. "Ifeel better
Larry Wilson, Memphis Museum Sys-
think kids are growing up in a pretty
for having been able to help someone
tem Inc. staff botanist (no relation to
difficult time these days and they need
else."
Mrs. Wilson) splits
all the support and understanding they:
his time between the
can get," she says. "I get to meet a lot of
nature center and
people who are making an influence in
Your name:
phone:
other museum pro-
children's lives." She also-has been a
perties.. In his ab-
volunteer for her church, Pulaski
sence; Mrs. Wilson
Heights United Methodist, parent-
takes charge of the
teacher organizations and the arts.
greenhouse, directs
Russell A. Adsit, 37, of East Mem-
ters, ages 2. and 5, says of his volunteer
other volunteer
Judie McEwen, 47, of Cordova
phis, has green thumbs: - one
efforts for the youth service-oriented
workers, plans and
describes herself as a part-time
for his business, the other for charity.
civic club. A former president of the
implements plant-
homemaker and a full-time golf addict
The owner of a landscape and design
East Memphis Kiwanis, he'll serve
ings on the center
whose husband has warned her not to
firm, he headed a record-setting
again as- chairman of. the Children's
grounds, wildflower
raise her hand again. Raising her hand
Kiwanis International fund-raising
Miracle Telethon for Kiwanis Interna-
sales and other pro-
Mrs. Wilson
has led. to volunteer work with United
telethon that raised $50,000, $35,000 of
tional. He also is on the board of the
jects.
Way, Germantown: United Methodist
which will go to LeBonheur Children's
Memphis Botanic Garden Foundation.
"This is something that if I, weren't
Church and Habitat for Humanity,
Medical Center. He worked six-to-seven
doing, I don't know what would be do
which builds homes for low-income
hours weekly from October through
Steve Gaither is a reporter for The
ing," she said. "Iguess I'dibe doing this
families. She serves several hours a
June on the project. "It's a desire to
Commercial Appeal. The Commercial
somewhere.
week now with Habitat for Humanity as
make sure the kids get a little helping
Appeal is featuring a thousand people
Volunteers provide thousands of
a. sponsor for a family in Rossville,
hand where they need it. That's what
in the Mid-South who make life better
hours each year to the museum system;
working 'with-them and their budgets
touches my heart," the father of daugh-
for others by their voluntary efforts.
Prisoners receive 9-8-89
the gift of literacy
Memphian first became involved be-
By Lloyd Holbeck
cause her child has hèmophilia. A
board member who's been in the orga-
nization for 15 years, she says, "I've nev-
Pauline Hord, 82, re-
er had time to be employed!" because
tired as a Memphis
her volunteer work keeps her so busy.
City Schools teacher
Besides the knowledge that her work
housand
22 years ago. But
helps others, she enjoys the association
POINTSof
she's still teaching.
with other volunteers and feels that,
Light
Mrs. Hord goes
"at each event we sponsor we're educat-
about 100 miles each
ing the public about the disease."
way to the Mississip-
pi Penitentary at
When Larry L. Johnson, 47, went
Parchman every
to the Soviet Union recently the
Wednesday to teach prisoners how to
Jackson, Miss., resident got a taste of
read. She's also working with 37 Mem-
what it's like to be illiterate. The
phis teachers on how to teach reading,
strange alphabet made the translation
and as a consultant for a national firm
of signs difficult for the assistant vice
that publishes a reading program.
president of South Central Bell. The
ONE
Mrs. Hord went to Parchman three
problems fueled his desire to continue
years ago with a friend who was going
his work as chàirman of the Mississippi
to do volunteer work. Another volun-
Literacy Coalition's communcations
teer told of a prisoner who couldn't
committee. Formed "to draw attention
read a Bible if he'd had one, and the vol-
to our literacy rate and on the individ-
unteer said she had prayed for someone
ual who can't read, the program gives
to teach the inmates how to read. Mrs.
support to all statewide efforts to move
Hord ended up being the answer to that
forward rapidly and helps direct more
prayer.
funds into Mississippi," Johnson says.
Illiteracy in prisons is 70 to 75 per-
To reach these goals Johnson and oth-
cent, she said, but she's working to
ers have worked to establish a
change that at Parchman. She estimat-
statewide directory of services and a
ed she has taught close to 140 prisoners
Learning Line where anyone can call
and now is training them to teach oth-
an 800 number to seek help or to offer it.
ers.
"It's given me an understanding of the
"I'm a teacher of teachers," she said.
serious problem we have in the state of
Other points of light:
dealing with the functional illiterate
and shown that we can become in-
At the Memphis Veterans Medi-
volved and make a difference."
cal Center, Earl Galloway is
known as "Red" and as a person who
"They call me Doc Holliday,"
gives his all in his job as chief of EKG.
says Vincent Cuoghi, 64, at his
At one time I had red hair," the 62-
Midtown grocery store., Cuoghi ex-
year-old Galloway explains. "Now a doc-
plains that it's because he dispenses ad-
tor calls me 'Pinky.'' Galloway re-
vice with medical and financial mat-
ceived his 35-year pin from the hospital
ters that perplex his clientele. "I was
Aug. 1, and has added it to his other
born and raised here and have owned
honors, notably the Medical Center
the store 39 years. There are low-in-
Hands and Heart Award. Given for his
come people here who need help."
outstanding day-to-day performance,
Cuoghi's help doesn't stop with advice,
the award is treasured by Galloway
however. Customers tell how he helped
who believes you should "always be
an elderly woman with cancer, lending
willing to give a helping hand." The
her money, helping with bills, looking
East Memphian practices. this creed
after her at the hospital and making
outside his job, too. A member of sever-
sure she wasn't neglected before she
al committees and on the board of trust-
died. In appreciation The Med sent
ees at Aldersgate United Methodist,
Cuoghi a plaque recognizing his Good
Galloway looks after the Bloodmobile,
Samaritanism.
organizes transportation for the elder-
Lloyd Holbeck is a reporter for The
ly, cooks, cleans and shovels snow
Commercial Appeal. The newspaper is
whenever necessary.
featuring a thousand people in the Mid-
South who make life better for others
Seven years ago Raenell Mc-
by their voluntary efforts. To suggest
Donald orgainized a poinsettia
people for this feature, please write us
sale for the local chapter of the Nation-
with the nominee's name, address,
al Hemophilia Foundation and raised
phone number and a brief description
$4,000. This year she anticipates sales to
of the nominee's volunteer work. Mail
top 1988's total of $28,000. "We raise all
to: A Thousand Points of Light, The
our budget ourselves through proj-
Commercial Appeal, Box 364, Memphis,
ects," Mrs. McDonald, 54, says. The East
Tenn. 38101.
When Lillie Belle Witcher, 79,
couldn't find time for volunteer
work a few years back, she made time:
She closed her motel-restaurant in Tu-
pelo, Miss. The business loss has been
the community's gain. A grandmother
of three, great-grandmother of four and
widow, she has a different view of re-
tirement: "If a day goes by and I haven't
done something for somebody, it just
seems like a wasted day.' Among those
benefitting from her service are the
Salvation Army, where she*helps with
the lunch program for the needy; a
Meals-On-Wheels delivery program,
and a sheltered workshop for the re-
tarded sponsored by the Concerned
People Organization. She also does
work for her church, Calvary Baptist,
and other church organizations.
Rebuilding houses, painting and laying down
floors doesn't seem like a typical job for an 18-year-
Young
old girl. But Kim McLaughlin of Germantown
spent a week this summer in the hills of East Ten-
nessee doing just that. "I volun-
teered for a program called
Mountain T.O.P.," Miss
McLaughlin said. "That stands
for Tennessee Outreach Pro
gram. We went there to help
underprivileged families. I like
seeing the smiles on people's
faces after we're done. Wher
we were finished, they cried.
Miss McLaughlin, daughter 0
Bill and Martha McLaughlin
spends other free time playing
bingo at a nursing home, put
ting on Christmas parties at St. Peter's Home for
Children, cleaning the grounds and washing win
dows at the Dismas House, and teaching Vacatior
Bible School. She is a freshman at the University
of Tennessee at Knoxville.
November 15, 1989
MEMORANDUM TO: CHRISS WINSTON
MARK LANGE
STEPHANIE BLESSEY
FROM:
KRISTEN GEAR KG
SUBJECT:
MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL
I just received a call from Mary Alice Quinn, from the paper,
concerning some additional information we might want to use in
the speech. Sam Cooper, who was featured in one of their first
articles, has just been named the Outstanding Volunteer
Fundraiser of 1989. This award is given by the National Society
of Fundraising Executives, and is presented in March of 1990.
Mr. Cooper already knows he has been chosen. Their idea is to
have the President announce this in his remarks next Wednesday.
There will be ten people on the dias with the President and Mr.
Cooper will be one of them, names of the others will follow.
They are planning on a speech approx. ten minutes in length, I
told them as far as I knew that was what we were planning as
well.
Sign. In
Name
Affiliation
Phone H.
Kris Goodwin
WH Advance
202/456-7565
Terry Carmack
WH, Political
202-456-6511
KELLEY Gannon
WH Advance
202-456-7565
Kristen Gear
PATRICK SMITH
WH COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY 202-395-5290
WH speechwriting
202-456-2930
WH
Pay DON ILOFF
OFFICE of NATIONAL Service 202/456 6266
May Ame-The Commercial APPEAL 901-52923
Colleen Conant ME. The Comuneveise Appeal 901-529-2301 -529-2703
Henry Stokes Asst. M.E., the Commercial Appeal 901
Lionel Linten, Edjtor The Command Appel- 901-529-2390
Marketin Div. The C.A. 901-529-2527
Dave Bonwit Marine Corps Aide to the President 202-456-2150.
Dan Petrole USSS
202-395-4011
JOB your WH COMMO
202-395-4040
Ginny Evenett Comm. Appeal Libranian 901-529-2782
ERCIAL APPEAL
A13
By Jerry Holt
When it comes to volunteer work, Kirsha L.
Smith, 17, is not picky about her assignments. At
school, she works as an office assistant during
lunch period and study hall, counting absentees,
making copies, running er-
rands, and filing medical and
registration cards. She spends
Saturdays working with a
group of small children at her
church, teaching them songs,
arts and crafts and reading. On
weekdays, Miss Smith helps her
godmother, who has been re-
peatedly hospitalized. "I go
over after school to make sure
the kids get home safely, give
them a snack, and make sure
they get their homework until
their dad comes home," she said. "I do all' this be-
cause I feel that some people are just not able and
they don't have people who will help them." Miss
Smith, daughter of Bobby and Shirley Smith of
Memphis, also spent a summer working at the
Memphis Veterans Medical Center filing chrono-
logical papers, medical records and job applica-
tions. She hopes to go to Florida A&M University
and major in business and education.
Stephanie Edwards and Ginni Garvey string beads
Cory Tinker, 21, enjoys meeting young people.
As a group leader for Young Life, Tinker, a senior
wn.
at Rhodes College, tries to set a positive role model
cation student at Farmington Elementary School,
for high school students. "We call it Club, but it's
"was cheerful and brave," said Lisa Gabriel, day
not really a club," said Tinker.
camp director. "She was always ready with words
"Anyone and everyone can
of encouragement and humor for these and all the
come. We meet at one of the
girls in her unit when times got tough." Miss Ed-
high school kid's house. We
wards is the daughter of Frances and Steve Ed-
sing songs and explain one of
wards.
the passages from the gospel.
What keeps me going is the re-
lationships I have with the kids
being a part of their lives
and being their friend is an ex-
Alison Parvey, 18, was involved in an ongoing
citing thing." Tinker, son of
Warren and Jo Tinker, spends
tutorial program at two Boys Clubs in Memphis
the last two years. The first year, she recruited and
about 20 hours per week work-
trained another student to help and each of them
ing with Young Life. He has
recruited four more students
been to three Young Life camps, where he washed
willing to volunteer. Besides
dishes, served food, mowed lawns, gardened and
tutoring, Miss Parvey, daugh-
did other types of manual labor.
ter of Karen and Dr. Louis Par-
vey, served as a group leader
for the Goodwill Club. She
served as the liaison between
No wonder Carlos Talley, 16, favors footwork for
tutors, Memphis Tutorial Asso-
community service. His career ambition is to own
ciation, and the club director.
and operate a shoe store. "I like seeing good things
Last year she was the chairman
happen as a result of my helping out,' says the son
of Curtiss, director of evangeli-
for the Memphis Teen Volun-
zation at Holy Names Catholic
teers of the Volunteer Center.
Church, and Corene Talley of
She was awarded a leadership
South Memphis. "I helped out at
scholarship to Converse Col-
basketball games. They need
lege in Spartanburg, S.C., where she is a freshman,
volunteers for clean-up work
majoring in elementary education. Recently, she
and that's the hard task be-
started a Boys Club tutorial program in Spartan-
cause nobody likes to do it."
burg.
Talley, who got his volunteer
start at Father Bertrand Ele-
mentary School, where he was
youth coordinator, is a junior
Shondela Saulsberry, 18, worked last year as an
at Memphis Catholic High
elementary classroom consultant, teaching fifth-
School. His volunteer service
and sixth-grade students basic economic princi-
has ranged from programs for the elderly to youth
ples. Although she did the volunteer teaching dur- re-
activities. He plans to attend Rust College in Holly
ing school hours, she was
Springs and major in business law and sales.
quired to do all regular class-
room assignments. Her super-
visors say her speaking,
make her an excellent
ambassador of Junior Achieve-
ment. "I took Project Business
time fun in the sun. But for Nicole marks
For for most teenagers the end of school
in junior high school and Ap-
work Vaughan, 17, of Bolivar, Tenn., summer is a (Nikki)
plied Economics in high
as a Volunteen. The past five years, she time has to
freshman at Shelby State Com-
school," said Miss Saulsberry, a
the summer providing staff
spent 40 hours a week during
munity College. "I think the
support and assistance to the
with me being in there. They can relate to
students felt more comfortable
Western Mental Health Insti-
tute. Her duties include organ-
ter one of my age better. Miss Saulsberry is the daugh- some-
Ruby and Al Bright.
izing offices, typing, filing and
making copies. Miss Vaughan, a
senior at Bolivar Central High
School, spends her Christmas
vacation sorting, wrapping and
in official ambassador for Yazoo City, Miss., Lind- as
Having been designated by the city's mayor
distributing hundreds of gifts
for patients at the facility. Miss
ay Lane Rose, 13, works to make her town better.
Vaughan, daughter of James
She has been personally responsible for raising
the Best All Around award from the Western Men-
and Leslie Vaughan, received
over $1,000 for charities includ-
tal Health Institute the last three years because
ing the Special Olympics and
she exemplified "youth voluntarism at its best
the March of Dimes. "I like to
The volunteer work, she says, "prepares you for
the real world."
do volunteer service to help
people who are less fortunate
than I am," said Miss Rose, the
daughter of Joy and Benny
Rose. "This summer I have
been cooking and putting up
For Patrick Twele, 18, the YMCA-Davis Branch
food for Manna House. My mom
freshman at Memphis State University, began vol- a
has been a special haven. Five years ago, Twele,
was talking about all the stuff
we were going to have left over
unteering his time-to help the staff. Today he is a
in the garden that was going to
member of the board of direc-
go to waste. I said 'why don't we
tors of that branch. "I'm in-
ut it up for Manna House?' At Manna House,
volved in the YMCA Leaders
hich is a local "soup" kitchen, Miss Rose helped
Club," he said. "I do ground
ather and prepare over 500 pounds of food this
work, painting and cutting the
immer.
grass,
just anything that
needs to be done.' Twele, son of
Robert and Judy Twele, is presi-
dent of the Catholic Youth Or-
ganization at St. Paul Church.
Antonio Smith, 18, reaches for the stars and be-
He organizes rummage sales
ond. As a ninth-grader, Smith was chosen by for-
and bake sales and collects
er president Ronald Reagan as a youth ambassa-
money for the Muscular Dys-
or to the Soviet Union through the U.S. Young As-
trophy Association. This year
tronaut Program. Earlier this
he will be co-director of SEARCH, a religious re-
year, Smith, a senior at White
treat program for teenagers. In past years, he was
haven High School, was elected
on the crew setting up, cleaning up after meals
governor of American Legion
and being a discussion leader. He was picked this
Boys State. As a member of the
year as a delegate to "Anytown Memphis," a camp
sponsored by the National Association of Chris-
Sheriff's Front-Line Against
Drugs, Smith, son of Effie
tians barriers. and Jews to help young people remove racial
Smith and the late Will T.
Smith, offers his time to help
inform young people that "only
losers do drugs." He says, "I
don't get my motivation from
Blair Henley, 17, hungers for homes. Recently
recognition, I get it from know-
she participated in a march for the homeless in
ing I helped someone. Hearing
Washington. "Mainly it was a protest against the
meone tell me they appreciate something I've
government," said Miss Henley, a senior at White
one gives me the incentive."
Station High School. "Since
1980, funding for the homeless
has been cut by 75 percent. We
hope the march will make the
For the past two years, Angela Wortham, 12, led
government more aware of
le Red Cross Club at Vollentine Optional School.
what a big problem this is."
ne volunteered to stay after school and meet with
Miss Henley, daughter of Rus-
ther Red Cross leaders to promote Red Cross acti-
sell Henley and Suzanne Hen-
vities there. Under her leader-
ley, became interested in the
ship, the students prepared
problem of affordable housing
more than 500 tray favors for
while attending a United Way
patients at the Regional Medi-
Young Leaders Conference. At
cal Center at Memphis. Miss
school, she is helping to form a
Wortham, daughter of Johnny
United Way Club to inform
and Sherry Wortham, was also
young people about volunteer opportunities. She
instrumental in conducting a
is the president of the United Way Youth Fund Dis-
Red Cross play, which reflected
tribution Committee. "We were given $20,000 to al-
the importance of community
locate for programs centered around youth," she
service and helping others.
said. "We have a youth yellow pages that gives
"Angela instills the concept of
numbers to call
rape crisis, teenage pregnan-
helping, caring and sharing to
cy and drug abuse." During the summer, Miss Hen-
other youth," says Mattie Little,
ley went with a church group to Socorro, Texas, a
teacher and Red Cross sponsor at Vollentine.
border town, to help build a new church.
MEMPHIS, MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1989
THE COMM
re
A THOUSAND POINTS OF LIGHT
For All-Metro basketball player Katika Henry,
17, life is more than a game. Miss Henry, a junior at
Booker T. Washington High School, spent her sum-
mer vacation taking care of her 9-year-old sister,
Shawana Taylor, a victim of
cerebral palsy. "First of all I
feed and bathe her," said Miss
Henry, who lives with her
grandmother, Lavern Wil-
liams, and three sisters. "I play
with her and show her some at-
tention. She can't walk, but she
scoots and crawls. She can hear
you, but she can't talk. I cook
her food. I think she likes
chili." Although Miss Henry
frequents the LeMoyne Gar-
dens basketball court outside
her home as often as she can, most after-school
hours are spent being the primary caretaker for
Shawana. "She could be all city in every sport,"
says Ken Bennett, program director for 'Streets'
ministry, where Miss Henry is active. "She's a tre-
mendous athlete. She gives up other sports SO she
can pitch in with her sister and help at home."
This summer she performed community service
work for Neighborhood Housing Opportunities,
an organization that provides low-income hous-
ing. She worked in the heat of summer at one of
the sites, picking up leftover lumber, roofing and
trash to help make the house livable.
Troop 274 Girl Scouts (from left) Leslie Mobley,
at Farmington Elementary School in Germanto
Voluntarism could reach a higher plane
Stephanie Edwards, 15, of Collierville, has a con-
through Sheree Lacy, 17. "I'm interested in air-
tagious zest for life. Although she has spina bifida
planes," she says of her plans to study aeronauti-
and uses a wheelchair, she served as a special aide
cal engineering at a college to be determined,
at the Tenn-Ark-Miss Girl Scout Day Camp this
"and I'd like to see if I could
summer. In addition to facing rugged, muddy
build them." Miss Lacy is down-
trails, she had to help her unit leader direct the
to-earth, however, when it
activities of 12 other campers, two of whom were
comes to volunteer service at
also in wheelchairs. Miss Edwards, a special edu-
Shelby State Community Col-
lege's day care center. "It's fun
helping the kids," she says of
work at the center, where she's
Chitra Rampersad, 17, of East Memphis, has a
volunteered since she was in
nose for news - and volunteer service. Her volun-
the seventh grade. A senior at
teer days began at Father Bertrand Elementary
Memphis Catholic High School,
School (now St. Augustine) and continue at Mem-
Miss Lacy volunteers through a
phis Catholic High school,
Community Concerns class
where she is editor of the
program. She has worked
school newspaper, Blues News,
through the program at PTA, band booster and
senior class vice president, and
sports fundraising events and at St. Peters Manor,
a clarinetist in the band. "I'm
where she assists the volunteer director after
the kind of person that can't sit
school. The daughter of Doris Lacy, an accountant
down and not do anything. I
at Shelby State, and Sam Lacy, she lives in South
want to get involved, says the
Memphis and attends St. Joseph Catholic Church.
daughter of Marianna Ramper-
sad. This summer that spirit of
involvement led her to teach
economics through Junior
Achievement's business basics
program for students in grades
4-11. "I felt I could help explain economics to some-
body a little younger than me before they got to
high school," she says. Miss Rampersad, who also
heads the servers for mass at St. Augustine and is a
senior retreat leader, wants to study biology at
for a career in medicine.
Washington University in St. Louis in preparation
leader. She volunteers about 9½ hours a week to-
Elizabeth Nenon, 23, says her goal is to be a good
Young Life is a Christian outreach organization
ward that goal as a Young Life Club group leader.
for high school students "Our
heard," says Miss Nenon, a Jun-
ior at Memphis State Universi-
ty. "No one's going to listen to
you unless they trust you first. I
want to be there for my kids, if
they need someone to talk to. I
try to go by a girls' soccer or
volleyball game a week. It's dif-
ferent having someone there
rooting for you that's not a par-
ent. If they find the gospel
while I'm there, that's great. We
don't want to force anything down their throat. I
just try to make myself available." Miss Nenon,
daughter of Thomas and Patricia Nenon, says she
would like to be some kind of counselor, possibly
with high school kids, when she graduates.
At age 17, Chirag Shah, has the key to giving.
Shah, son of Chandrakant S. and Sumitra C. Shah,
is head of the Kiwanis Committee and sergeant-at-
arms of the Germantown Key Club, a youth auxil-
iary of Kiwanis Club. He has
been in the Key Club for two
years, where he spends about
50 hours of service per month.
"We're like one big family," he
said. "We do everything togeth-
er." He says he does this be-
cause "I like helping people
who can't help themselves
out." On his own time, Shah has
been raising money for United
Cerebral Palsy and Boys Town.
Last August he raised $600 for
Cerebral Palsy. Shah has been
raising money for United Cerebral Palsy's Elvis
Presley Run. A senior at Germantown High
School, Shah also volunteered at the Muscular
Dystrophy Telethon.
By Wayne Tilson
S
Naomi Van Tol cares for a baby fox squirrel.
t]
For almost two years, Naomi Van Tol, 13, has
S
spent two days a week working as a volunteer in
O
the wildlife rehabilitation center at Lichterman
Nature Center. Although she has had many re-
sponsibilities including maintaining the mouse
population for wildlife food, she now spends most
of her time feeding baby squirrels, rabbits and
chipmunks. Miss Van Tol, daughter of Lois and Hu-
bert Van Tol, is a home school student who has
dedicated part of her school time to learning
about native wildlife in this area. "I was fairly
young when my mother started taking me on out-
ings at Lichterman," said Miss Van Tol. "I've al-
ways been in ...:1
1/3/89
Raising 7-3-89 millions
Bridge-lighting
to fight cancer
community effort
For a guy who's raised more
Pat Kerr Tigrett easily could
than $20 million for civic causes,
have called on wealthy friends
Sam Cooper, 78, didn't come by
to light the M-shaped arches of
numbers naturally.
Hernando DeSoto Bridge in 1986.
He got his first job in 1930, as
Instead, she and her co-chair-
an office boy and bookkeeper at
man, downtown developer Hen-
the company
ry Turley, raised $373,000 in pen-
that would lat-
nies, dimes, dollars, by tapping
er become
the community, from kids to cor-
Humko. He was
porations.
a better office
"I tried to
boy.
pull from all
Mindy Montesi
different
'Every
places materials
night, I'd take
walks of life,"
she said.
on the Health
my vouchers
and papers and
That's why
Watch bulletin
she went to
board at the St.
go to night
school
at
city schools
John's United
Cooper
Humes
and asked the
High,
Methodist
and
children to
my
Church Health
teacher would tell me what to
donate a penny
Center on
debit and what to credit. At the
Kerr
each. "I love
end of the month, the boss want-
getting the
Peabody. She's
children in-
this year's project
ed to know how we did, and I
volved. If they don't get in-
chairman of the
told him I couldn't tell him till I
volved at an early age, they're
Junior League's
talked to the professor.'
4
not going to be interested in vol-
Partners in Care
Cooper worked his way up to
unteering when they're 20 or 35,
program.
Humko's presidency by 1952 and
and they certainly won't contri-
stayed top dog until he retired in
bute at 55."
Helping the poor
Keeping Belle
1976. His philanthropic works
When Mayor Dick Hackett hit
with health care
2
for Memphians
include:
Raising $4 million for can-
the switch turning on the lights,
Mindy Montesi worked last
Ward Archer Jr., 36, president
cer research at the University of
about 200,000 people had gath-
year training lay advisers for
of Ward Archer & Associates,
Tennessee, Memphis, and St.
ered near the Mississippi River
the Church Health Center,
likes to look for worthwhile pro-
Jude Children's Research Cen-
for the festivities. Another 2,000
which serves poor people who
jects on the fringes ones with
ter:
attended a black-tie gala on Mud
often lack adequate health in-
little or no backing from en-
Raising $18 million to keep
Island - a party that Mrs. Ti-
surance.
trenched fund-raising groups.
St. Jude in Memphis;
grett organized.
As an outgrowth of that, she's
Such fringes have included
this year's project chairman of
raising money for the Memphis
Raising $750,000 to keep the
Ten days before the event,
Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Mrs. Tigrett said she and a com-
the Junior League's Partners in
Belle B17 bomber, or creating
on key;
mittee of volunteers sampled
posters for the Blues Founda-
Raising $800,000 to pay for
the menu planned for the sunset
Care program. Overseeing eight
tion, or helping turn the Mem-
the Memphis Food Bank's ware-
supper. As workers shucked the
volunteers, she coordinates ef-
phis Center for Contemporary
house.
oysters, Mrs. Tigrett recalled,
forts to train lay advisers to the
Art into an almost mainstream
gallery or finding a more stable
"Fund-raising isn't begging,
"Every bug lit on it." That menu
elderly. She also serves on the
it's selling," Cooper explained.
was immediately ditched, and
Church Health Center board.
fund-raising source than spa-
"And if you don't have a good
the search was on for 2,500 bas-
Miss Montesi trains volun-
ghetti dinners for WEVL FM-90
commodity to sell you might as
kets for a summer's picnic sup-
teers in black churches to help
radio station.
per with mesquite breast of
In 1986, Ar-
well forget about it. Helping a
their members seek medical at-
kid live from cancer, that's a
chicken and marinated catfish
tention early rather than de-
cher probably
instead.
great commodity."
pending on last-minute care
took on his
Cooper and his wife, Frankie,
"You have to be highly orga-
from an emergency room. At the
toughest vol-
lost a daughter to cancer. One
nized,' she said. "If there's any
conclusion of the eight-week
unteer effort
out of four people are touched by
worrying to be done, I do the
training session, Miss Montesi
- raising at
cancer, and if you're not one of
worrying. Big things don't over-
said, the lay advisers "brought
least $500,000
the four, you ought to get on
whelm me."
food that made Thanksgiving
under dead-
your knees every night and
Mrs. Tigrett, a Savannah,
look like McDonald's. Some lay
line pressure.
thank the man upstairs that
Tenn., native, is the wife of fi-
advisers have later set up health
The Memphis
you've been blessed. The $4-
nancier John Tigrett, the moth-
fairs at their churches.'
Belle, a histor-
million research fund drive in
er of 12-year-old Kerr Tigrett,
Miss Montesi, 34, teaches bio-
ic B17 bomber,
Archer
1974 "got Memphis St. Jude-
and a commercial designer.
logy at St. Agnes Academy and is
was about to be
minded," Cooper said.
Currently, she's planning to
working on a master's degree at
lost to the U.S.
Then, in 1986, with Cooper at
make her Jingle Bell Ball an an-
Memphis State University.
Air Force Museum in Dayton,
the fund-raising helm, Memphis
nual event. Last year, the ball
Ohio.
was able to raise $18 million to
raised $10,000 for Bridge Build-
"It became evident that there
counter an offer inviting St.
ers, a youth program inspired by
was no one that could manage
Jude to relocate to St. Louis,
the Free the Children project in
the marketing or put together a
whose incentives included a $10
North Memphis. Bridge Builders
campaign," Archer said. "It was
million commitment.
helps children from different
an interesting project. Someone
Last year, Cooper came to
backgrounds get to know each
from out of town was challeng-
Memphis Food Bank's rescue
other. She organized the ball
ing our community."
when they needed $1 million to
with the help of 120 mothers.
Archer wasn't an aviation buff
purchase and renovate a ware
She's also teaming up with
or a pilot, knew nothing of the
house, Cooper got most of the
Turley again for the Sept. 15
plane's history and was too
money from the city, county and
groundbreaking and opening
young to remember World War
state governments with this sim-
ceremonies for the Pyramid.
II. But his interest, along with a
ple sales pitch: "If there wasn't a
Whenyou get people involved,
host of volunteers, ended up
food bank and wasn't a MIFA,
Mrs. Tigrett said, "the end result
raising $620,000 from people
somebody would have to feed
is much stronger."
who read about the Memphis
these hungry people. It would be
Belle in newspapers or saw a seg-
the city and county and state.
ment on the plane on ABC's
With this warehouse, we could
20/20.
feed a whole lot more."
One of Archer's first acts of
trying to make a difference end-
A city's gratitude is Cooper's
reward.
ed in failure. In the 1970s, he and
In appreciation, St. Jude
others marched in front of the
Hill Mansion on Union Avenue
named a wing after him, Mem-
phis Food Bank dedicated the
trying unsuccessfully to stop the
new food warehouse to its
bulldozers from destroying the
old home.
founders and Cooper, and the
Had an earlier effort been
city named the Midtown leg of
made, Archer said, Union "prob-
Interstate-40 Sam Cooper Blvd.,
in recognition of his contribu-
ably would have been the most
tions. Cooper likes to tease his
about
impressive street in the city."
friend Danny Thomas that his
Currently, Archer is involved
in raising money for WEVL FM-
thoroughfare is more popular
than Danny Thomas Blvd.
90, where he also sits on the sta-
"Every afternoon, I hear on
tion's board. "It's the only truly
independent radio station in the
the radio that there's a tie-up on
Sam Cooper Blvd. or there's con-
state. The whole budget used to
struction on Sam Cooper Blvd.
come from spaghetti dinners at
They never say anything about
the P&H. Half of it still does," he
Dannv Thomas"
Fish fry f( charity fund-ra
ers
9/3/89
By Richard Gardner
By Jim Terreil
SOMETHING'S fishy
when Fred Daniels
volunteers for com-
munity service.
housand
A retired travel-
POINTSof
ing salesman, Dan-
Light
iels, 64, of Parkway
Village, started what
he believes is the
WE SERVE
EXCLUSIVELY
only catfish cooking
team incorporated to raise funds for
charity.
Since its inception three years ago,
the team has raised $13,000-$15,000 for
the local United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
and $12,500 for the Mississippi Rehabili-
tation Center in Jackson.
Other team members are Harry Ba-
ker, Bob Minatra, and brothers W. G.
'Dub' Temple and Tim Temple. Auxil-
iary members are Gene Thomas, Steve
Aday and Mickey Gaia.
Charity Catfish Cooking Team members (from left) Fred Daniels, Tim Temple,
"If you don't leave your tracks some-
where, then you don't need to be going
W. G. 'Dub' Temple and Harry Baker prepare for another weeking of cooking.
this way," Daniels says of his communi-
ty service commitment. He began cook-
motorhome. A smaller cooker, being
Other points of light:
ing catfish 25-30 years ago as a public re-
built to be towed behind the large unit,
lations gesture for his employer, Taylor
will expand cooking capacity from 14 to
Frank Fourmy, 65, has been in-
Machinery Co.
20 frying baskets.
volved with Neighborhood
Daniels, who works part-time for his
Traveling as far as Jackson and Bi-
Christian Center for 12 years. As chair-
former employer at Deltequip, is active
loxi, Miss., and Birmingham, Ala., they
man of the board, he oversees the pro-
in leadership roles with Masonic organ-
cook at as many as 15 engagements a
grams and guides the staff of the eight
izations.
month for company picnics of 250-1,000
centers throughout Memphis.
He conceived the first fish fry as a
employees. The charge is $5.50 a plate
Funded by Second Presbyterian
one-time fund-raising tdea in 1979,
for fish, hush puppies, fries and cole-
Church and other East Memphis
when UCP sought donations from the
slaw, with proceeds after expenses go-
churches, the organzation provides
Revel Unit of Zaman Grotto, of which
ing to the charities.
clothing, food, job opportunities and
he was past monarch, and last year he
student tutoring to those in need. Al-
helped cook 20 tons of catfish for the
What's the success secret for the team
most 50 college students receive finan-
Grotto and his charity team combined.
that won 1986 first in catfish cooking
cial or other kinds of aid; 11 of the stu-
"We picked this one as our charity
and 1988 first in hush puppies in Mud
dents come through the tutorial pro-
and just stayed with them," Daniels,
Island competitions?
gram.
who is married and has two children
"First is having a good product,' he
"We help our neighbors in need to be-
and a grandchild, says of cerebral pal-
says. "Second is heat control. We have a
come economically self-sufficient,"
sy. "We feel close to them."
thermostat that cooks at 365 degrees.
says the retired East Memphis resident.
The team is equipped with an 8,000-
Then the breading can make a little dif-
"We must take care of our brothers who
pound cooker built by Taylor Machin-
ference. We use a little cayenne pepper
are less fortunate."
ery, which is towed by a diesel-powered
in ours."
St. Jude, the saint of the impossi-
ble, was always the favorite saint
A Thousand Points of Light
of Fran Costa, 55. When the Catholic na-
tive of Philadelphia, Pa., and her hus-
The Commercial Appeal is featuring a thousand people in the
band, Joe, 55, moved to Memphis in
1970, she found herself "right in the
Mid-South who make life better for others by their voluntary efforts.
middle of St. Jude territory.
To suggest people for this feature, please fill out this coupon and
The couple immediately began volun-
send it to:
teering at St. Jude Children's Research
A Thousand Points of Light
Hospital. Mrs. Costa gives hospital
The Commercial Appeal
tours, decorates the rooms for holidays
Box 364
and plays with young patients waiting
Memphis, TN 38101
for chemotherapy. For three years,
Costa has chaired the Marquerite Piaz-
za Gala, raising more than $200,000 for
Name of nominee:
the hospital.
During the Federal Express-St. Jude
His or her address:
Classic golf tournament, the Costas'
Southwind home was a hospitality
Nominee's phone: home (
)
work
)
house, decorated with St. Jude banners
and filled with collection canisters for
Here's what this person does to help others:
hospital donations.
Jim Terrell is a reporter for The Com-
mercial Appeal. The newspaper is fea-
turing a thousand people in the Mid-
South who make life better for others
by their voluntary efforts. To suggest
people for this feature, please write us
with the nominee's name, address,
phone number and a brief description
Your name:
phone:
)
of the nominee's volunteer work. Mail
to: A Thousand Points of Light, The
Commercial Appeal, Box 364, Memphis,
Tenn. 38101.
Klein is big voice for Memphis charities A9
Christmas funds, moved from the wres-
iary led to a recent appointment to the
"Besides, I'm not that wild about the
By Jim Terrell
tling ring to the old National Guard Ar-
Mississippi Hospital Association's
soaps.'
mory, the fairgrounds, then hotels and
board of directors and her election as
It's a good thing, because the White-
night clubs.
its 1989 Volunteer of the Year.
haven resident's days are filled with
George Klein has
"It was a chance for myself and the
The 65-year-old resident of Marks,
volunteer activities. Since 1972, she has
the voice for com-
entertainers to give something back to
Miss., is serving her third term as presi-
given swimming and lifesaving in-
munity service.
Memphis," says Klein, whose music
dent of the hospital auxiliary, of which
struction at the Davis YMCA. Friday
housand
A broadcast per-
business contacts have brought to the
she has been a member for eight years.
mornings there she lifeguards the au-
sonality in his na-
show such local and national names as
Her innovative work with the 60-mem-
tistic children from Evans Elementary
POINTSof
tive Memphis since
Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Medley of the
ber group is used as a model for other
School. Three times a month she leads a
Light
1957, he has raised
Righteous Brothers, and Blood Sweat
hospital auxiliaries in the state. Two
CPR course, also at the Davis YMCA.
more than a quarter
and Tears.
years ago, she encouraged men to join
A longtime member of the Memphis
of a million dollars
This year's event will be Dec. 18 at the
the auxiliary, "because I thought that
Zoological Society, Mrs. Himmelreich
for charity.
Omni Hotel as a benefit for the Mem-
male patients would enjoy seeing other
served as a ZOO docent, conducting
Klein's annual Christmas charity mu-
phis Food Bank.
men." Last year she instigated a hospi-
tours for school groups and speaking in
sic show and auction has provided holi-
"People come up to me now and say
tal candy-striper program for young
the public schools.
day toys and meals for tens of thou-
they were just teenagers when they
women.
Recently she was trained in kidney
sands of needy Memphis families.
first started going to the show," he says.
"I'm very grateful for the honors giv-
dialysis so that she could help a young
And is he also known for his associ-
"They' grown up with us, helping the
en by the Mississippi Hospital Associ-
friend with treatment in her home. Sev-
ation and friendship with his Humes
poor at the holidays."
ation," she says. "I love my work with
eral times a week, she administers di-
High School classmate, Elvis Presley,
But his volunteer service is more
the auxiliary and am happy that God is
alysis to the young woman who is await-
for whom he
than just a Christmas present for the
using me as His servant.
ing a kidney transplant.
worked for a
community. Klein has served seven
short time as a
years as emcee for Alzheimer's Associ-
Jerry Ray, 42, of Bartlett, will tell
Memina Franklin of German-
travel coordi-
ation banquets, is a director on the
you right away that Shelby
town insists she is "only one of
nator.
board of the United Cerebral Palsy, and
Youth Sports is something love and
many" who give their time to help His-
"It's become
originated and hosted a telethon for the
can go on and on about.
panic persons in need. As a member of
the Memphis Catholic Hispanic Com-
a:
tradition,"
Epilepsy Foundation.
The Memphis Fire Department lieu-
Klein, now a
He also has been a volunteer consul-
tenant and affiliate real-estate broker
munity, she participates in its ministry
disk jockey at
tant for other charities and is now serv-
has volunteered with the nonprofit or-
to the sick, the poor and the lonely. She
WHBQ, says of
ing as a technical adviser for an ABC-
ganization for 14 years. He is serving
helps Hispanic persons new to Mem-
his holiday
TV series that is being filmed here.
his sixth year as président. He oversees
phis find homes, clothing, furniture
program. "Peo-
Other points of light:
all facets of Shelby Youth Sports (SYS),
and jobs. English instruction is pro-
ple expect
which involves more than 2,400 young
vided by Sacred Heart Catholic Church,
baseball in the
At 94, Alfred Wilshusen of East
people, ages 8-14, in football, track and
which she attends.
shoppol
springtime. At
Memphis is the oldest volunteer
cheerleading. He emphasizes that the
"We want to help persons who are
Christmas,
at the Memphis Veterans Medical Cen-
success of the program is not his alone
new to our community, because we
they expect the
ter. The World War I veteran works in
but also that of the 10 area directors
have all gone through similar situa-
parade and my
George Klein
the hospital pharmacy every Friday as
who organize the different teams. The
tions," she says.
show."
"a medicine bottler."
SYS teams compete against each other,
Several times a month, she is one of 10
drivers
The show began in the 1960s at the
"I put the prepared medicines in the
and championship competitions are
Hispanic persons who volunteer at St.
suggestion of James Kingsley, a report-
bottles and the ointments in the jars,"
held at the end of each sport's regular
Jude Children's Research Hospital,
er for The Commercial Appeal, Klein
he explains.
season.
translating for Spanish-speaking pa-
returns
says, and was an outgrowth of benefit
He has volunteered at the VA for the
"I have a lot of fun doing this," says
tients and their families and helping
wrestling matches for the Mile-O-
past 20 years, 15 of them in the pharma-
Ray. "I first got involved years ago be-
them feel at home during their stay in
Dimes.
cy. "Twenty years ago, there was a
cause my area didn't have a director
Memphis. She also teaches Mexican cui-
Klein was emcee and engaged local
group of us WWI veterans who used to
and I didn't think it would be very time-
sine.
musicians, Charlie Rich, Anita Wood
get together in the volunteer room at
consuming. Of course, the involvement
Jim Terrell is a reporter for The Com-
and the Bill Black Combo among them,
the VA and fold towels," he says. "Now
has deepened, and now it's a year-round
mercial Appeal. Other writers have
to perform in the wrestling ring
there's only me, but I still enjoy it."
commitment. But I love it."
contributed to these profiles. The news-
between matches.
paper is featuring a thousand people in
The shows, which were benefits for
Virginia Bland's work with the
"It fun to be busy and involved."
the Mid-South who make life better for
the Mile-O-Dimes and the Goodfellows
Quitman County (Miss.) Auxil-
says Marian Himmelreich, 58.
others by their voluntary efforts.
Mon," Nov. 6, 1989
November 17, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR MARK LANGE
FROM:
STEPHANIE BLESSEY
SUBJECT:
MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL VOLUNTEERS
The following are some examples I pulled from the paper:
O "I'd rather volunteer than play bridge." 11-2-89
o "We can all do something to help,' says Peggy Strickland
who "wipes away tears and holds [children with cancer] when
they're frightened." 11-3-89
O 'Buck' Hicks drives burned or crippled children 13 hours
to treatment centers in Galveston, Cincinati or St. Louis.
"To help finance mission trips, Hicks spends his "spare
time" driving around the city picking up aluminum cans." 11-
3-89
O "Even though their are many helping agencies in Memphis,
the community can't operate without volunteers, " says
Barbara Holt, a postal agent who chaired the Postal Service
employees' campaign for the United Way, is an active
volunteer at Mission Possible and cares for the sick and
elderly in her community. 11-5-89
O Letter from GB to Mr. Linder congratulating him on his
work with the Coomercial Appeal. 11-5-89
O "It's fun to be busy and involved. Besides, I'm not that
wild about the soaps, " says Marian Himmelreich who
lifeguards autistic children and gives swimming and
lifesaving lessons at the YMCA. 11-6-89
O "I used it, and it used me," says Mary Taylor of her 16
years on welfare. Now she is a community activist who helps
get the poor back on their feet. "We all have a place to be
a part of the system no matter what level we are on. " 7-24-
89
O Shorty Bramlett is a quadiplegic who can only communicate
with one finger and his computer. After his accident 27
years ago, Bramlett decided "he did not want to sit in his
wheelchair and die" so he writes letters to the Governor and
Congressmen to help pass laws for the handicapped. 11-4-89
O "Eudora, Miss., wouldn't be the same community without
George Brewer, 58. Not only has he been known to come to
the rescue of frozen pipes, he can be counted on for a ride
to the emergency room
and was instrumental in the the
formation of a neighborhood watch group for the Koko Reef
Subdivision. Brewer was in the service station business for
more than 20 years, when a blow from a piece of equipment
disabled him. It put him in a wheelchair for several years,
but he's getting his sea legs back. " 7-18-89
O From being a friend to the elderly to teaching children
about drug abuse to buying a hospital patient a
milkshake
From disk jockeys to truck drivers to CEOs to children to
the retired, everyone can do something
Southern Hospitality has real meaning with these folks
Success stories
Volunteer service can be child's play for Danita
As president of Future Teachers of America this
Beck, 17. Miss Beck, a 12th-grader at White Station do-
year, Cari McRae, 17, aided teachers during and
High ing volunteer work at St. Jude Children's in the
School, spends her summers and holidays Re-
after school. She also spent two days a week after
school tutoring an eighth-grader. Miss McRae, a
search Hospital. "I work
freshman at Union University
children's play area, the li-
in Jackson, Tenn., also traveled
brary and the volunteer ser-
to Kentucky last summer as
vices department," Miss Beck
part of a 15-person mission
said. "I first started doing vol-
team to build a house for a min-
unteer work when I took an art
er who was laid off. The family
class at Brooks Museum. They
of four had lived in a shack
needed volunteers for their
built around the remains of an
museum shop. If you have extra
old junked car. "We built them
time, why just sit around and
a three-bedroom house with in-
not use it when someone else
door plumbing," Miss McRae
needs it?" Miss Beck, daughter
said. As a member of Interact, a
of Everett and Mamie Beck,
service club, she visited abused
hopes to major in art or art his-
teenagers at the Porter-Leath
tory. and programs for the Memphis Children's
She's painted scenery and designed posters
Children's Center. About five times a year, Miss
McRae, daughter of Janice and Herschel McRae of
Theatre. "I do this mainly in the summer during
Germantown, carols at a senior citizens home. She
the Lucille Ewing Festival."
says she's not sure why she does so much. "I guess
because I'm a Christian and God wants me to do it
and I enjoy doing it," she said. "It's not a burden. It
makes me feel satisfied."
Thurs. 11-2-89
A17
Volunteers are linked
puppets
by the desire to serve
4/23/89
T
HE Commercial Appeal is featuring
recruits the coaches and coordinates
a thousand people in the Mid-South
fund-raising efforts. He is proud of the
who make life better for others by their
baseball field with its lights and elec-i
voluntary efforts. Today's points of
tronic scoreboard, which was built
light:
with donated funds and "didn't cost the
church a penny."
When it comes to community ser-
In late December, Wilson directs one
vice, John Heirigs of Whitehav-
of the largest basketball tournaments
en is always in the hunt. Heirigs is a 17-
in the country. Fifty-four teams from
year volunteer with the Tennessee
several states come to Pendleton Pres-
Wildlife Resources Agency's Hunter
byterian to participate in the nationally
Safety Program.
recognized event. "I'm interested in
"I'm their oldest volunteer," says the
kids, sports and my church, so working
64-year-old general contractor. "I've
with this program is a natural thing to
been with the program since it begin."
do." The church helps me tremendous-
Tennessee requires those born after
ly and backs me in everything."
1969 to be certified by the Hunter Safety
Program before ob-
The list of volunteer activities
taining a hunter li-
for Betty Sloan, 66, of Jonesboro,
cense. Since the law
Ark., is a long and varied one. "I'd rath
was enacted in 1972,
er volunteer than play bridge," she
Heirigs has taught
Thousand
says.
thousands of people,
mostly young, about
POINTSof
For 20 years, she has been involved in
guns and how to use
Light
the United Way of Greater Jonesboro,
serving as campaign chairman, board
them safely when
member and currently as chairman of
hunting. In addition
special projects.
to classroom teaching in various com-
"The United Way is an agency which
munity centers, he gives hands-on in-
serves a great number of people in the
struction at the firing range.
community," she says. "It operates very
"We can take someone who's never
efficiently by having one major drive
handled a gun and teach him every-
benefiting numerous causes.
thing he needs to know," he says. "We
She serves on the promotions com-
teach fathers and mothers, sons and
mittee of the Jonesboro Chamber of
daughters. Our main purpose is safety
Commerce, working to bring visitors to
and having the proper attitude toward
the city. She helps promote and raise
guns and hunting."
funds for the arts through her associ-
ation with the Foundation of the Arts.
Elsie Stinson Clement received
She is a member of the 20th Century
her 1,000-hour pin last May for
Club, the President's Council of Arkan-
her volunteer work as a hostess in the
sas State University and Friends of the
intensive care unit at the Memphis Vet-
Library. She is also an active member of
erans Medical Center. She volunteered
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
there after her husband died after a
long illness in 1983. She also is a mem-
Marilyn Piccatto of Frayser be-
ber of the visitation committee for her
came involved with the Memphis
church, the First Assembly of God,
Zoo in 1972 to help improve the facility
where she visits and carries food to
and conditions for its animals.
shut-ins. In the past, Mrs. Clement has
"There was a terrible problem then
devoted many hours to taking people to
with litter at the ZOO and with ZOO visi-
the doctor or to other appointments,
tors abusing the animals," says the 46-
but she's leaving that to younger people
year-old Memphis City Schools teacher.
now that she is 82. But she's still volun-
"A group called the Zoo Action Program
teering and "just serving the Lord -
was formed, and I joined to help patrol
that's what He told us to do."
the zoo and to train young people to do
the same. I also held teacher workshops
For 30 years, Nolen 'Bubba' Wil-
SO the ZOO could be used as an educa-
son of East Memphis has volun-
tional tool."
tarily directed the youth sports pro-
The Zoo Action Program evolved into
gram at Pendleton Presbyterian
the Memphis Zoological Society and
Church. Each year, from October to
fund-raising became its primary en-
July, the 61-year-old heavy equipment
deavor. Ms. Piccatto, who has managed
manager for the City of Memphis gives
the ZOO gift shop since 1980, trains and
35 hours a week to the church's basket-
coordinates the 64 volunteers who help
ball and baseball teams.
run the shop, which grosses $30,000 an-
"I get a two-month break between
nually. She is responsible for the pur-
baseball and basketball seasons," he
chasing and pricing of the merchan-
laughs. He oversees 10 to 12 teams each
dise and for the concession stands used
season; more than 150 boys participate
for special ZOO exhibits. She devotes her
in each sport. He organizes the teams,
summers and weekends to the shop.