Inspiring by example

Allison Brophy Champion / Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: April 25, 2007

MADISON - Betty Reedy worked 34 years at the Pentagon in an office without windows.

That's why when she retired in 1984 Reedy wasted no time getting involved on the outside.

In the more than two decades since her retirement, the Amissville resident has contributed some 4,000 hours in volunteer work to various organizations in nearby Fauquier County including: the Senior Center, Visitor's Center, Chamber of Commerce and Department of Forestry.

Her giving back has gotten Reedy noticed.
At a ceremony Friday at Waverly Yowell Middle School, Reedy received the "Call to Service Award" - the top honor bestowed through the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.

"She's a very special lady," said Becky Crouch, manager of the Fauquier Visitor's Center. "Betty would do anything you asked her to do."

For Reedy, volunteering was all part of her plan.
"I had two goals when I retired," she said. "To clean out all of my papers - I'm a packrat - and to give back to the community.

That's what I've been doing ever since. I'm just a people person. I don't like to be bored."

The 77-year-old retired government worker has surely touched a lot of people's lives with her volunteering.
So has Andy Anderson.

The Reva resident earned the second of two "Call to Service Awards" for his more than 4,000 hours of giving back. Anderson has been volunteering for about 13 years with organizations like the Brightwood Ruritan Club, Culpeper 4-H and the annual Culpeper-Madison-Rappahannock Farm Show.

An IBM retiree, he said he most enjoys working with young people.

"It's nice to see the kids grow up and then you're working with another generation," said Anderson, 65.

Plus, "Volunteering keeps me young and active," he added with a grin.

Young and old, 129 men, women and children filed to the front of the stage at Waverly Yowell Middle School to accept their volunteer pins: bronze (100 hours), silver (200 hours) and gold (500 hours).

Many of the award recipients pointed with pride to the official seal and signature of the U.S. president on the letter of thanks each received. It was an evening of sincere gratitude and the joy of giving shone brighter than the late afternoon sun.

In all, the region's volunteers contributed more than 37,746 hours last year throughout Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock. Their donated time, according to the commonwealth of Virginia, was worth $680,938.

"It's an honor to be in the room with so many very special people," said Jill Skelton, director of the Piedmont Volunteer Center in Culpeper.

"I understand the sacrifice that so many volunteers make."
The President's Volunteer Service Awards recognize "the best in American spirit," she said.

And according to the letter each volunteer received from President George W. Bush, volunteers comprise "the outstanding character of America."

Allison Brophy Champion can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 101 or