THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 9, 1994 TAG: 9406080174
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940609 LENGTH: SUFFOLK
And as the sixth in a family of nine siblings, Chavis found his first job early in life.
``I learned to work early on,'' Chavis said. ``I cut grass, was a carrier for The Virginian-Pilot, and worked at Gwyn Automotive on Hall Avenue. I helped tear engines down and sold parts of automobiles.''
{REST} Chavis, 37, became a member of the Suffolk Jaycees 12 years ago and applied his work ethic to that endeavor, as well.
``I'm the type of person that when I join a club, I don't sit around,'' he said. ``Unless I'm out of town, I'm there.''
Due to his contributions to community projects, Chavis was recently named ``Outstanding Young Man of the Year'' by his fellow Jaycees. A surprised Chavis was awarded a plaque at a recent dinner meeting.
``Don is real deserving of the award,'' said Al Byrum, immediate past president of the organization. ``The Jaycees sell Christmas trees at the Suffolk Plaza Shopping Center from Thanksgiving to mid-December every year.
``Sometimes two Jaycees show up and sometimes, only one, but Don stopped by every night to help.''
Chavis is a native of Bennettsville, S.C. His family moved to Suffolk in 1957.
He graduated from the old Suffolk High School and commuted to the Portsmouth campus, and then the Chesapeake campus, of Tidewater Community College for two quarters before finding a job as a construction worker.
In 1980, Chavis went to work for the City of Suffolk as a code inspector for new construction. After work, he freely volunteered his time to community projects.
``I like helping people, and the Jaycees always put on a lot of community functions,'' he said. ``They're a good bunch of guys who donate to all worthwhile causes.''
In addition to selling Christmas trees, the Jaycees enter a float in the Christmas Parade in downtown Suffolk, judge a Boy Scout Kite Contest in the spring and help Social Services pay for Thanksgiving dinners for the disadvantaged.
They also supply manpower for Peanut Fest, putting up fences and moving equipment. Chavis has been site coordinator for the event.
``Sometimes, someone will write a letter to the president or a member asking for help,'' Chavis said. ``If we think it's a worthwhile cause, we don't hesitate to help out.''
In addition to his Jaycee work, Chavis is a member of the Suffolk Elks Club. He helps with fund-raising herring breakfasts and the annual Seafood Festival sponsored by the club.
For 15 years, Chavis was a member and later the coach for a men's volleyball team, ``Cockey's Roosters,'' which was sponsored by Jack Cockey Peanut Brokerage.
And for two consecutive years, he was selected as ``Coach of the Year'' by the Tidewater Volleyball Association.
Six years ago, he started the girls' volleyball program at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. The team tied for first in the conference in 1992 and won in 1993. As a result, Chavis was named ``Coach of the Year'' in 1992 and 1993 by the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools.
These days, though, someone else occupies most of Chavis' free time. He and his wife, Tina, have a 4-month-old son, Nicholas. Chavis picks up Nicholas after work and cares for him until his wife comes home from her job at Beverly Enterprises in Virginia Beach.
Tina Chavis was recently promoted, and the family will move to Fort Smith, Ark., in July.
by CNB