THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 30, 1995 TAG: 9503290144
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
WHEN HARRY B. LEGGETT JR. retired from Nansemond Ford Tractor Inc., his wife brought his golf clubs down from the attic and put them in a convenient place. For six years now, they have been collecting dust.
Leggett, 74, spent most of his leisure time in community service. ``There's a lot out there to do,'' he said. ``My wife and I try to help people.''
Leggett was honored recently at ``Celebrate the Stars,'' a program featuring the 1995 Volunteer Recognition Awards of South Hampton Roads. It is sponsored by the Volunteer Connection and the United Way of South Hampton Roads.
Leggett has been a member of the advisory board of the Salvation Army in Suffolk for six years.
``I'm a nuts-and-bolts type of person,'' he said. ``If any electrical work needs to be done, I get my retired friends to come in to help save money.
``My greatest accomplishment is the Salvation Army Thrift Store. I negotiated with the owners for the building on West Washington Street.''
Leggett, who kept a key to the empty building before the opening, worked with his friends for more than a month installing wiring and bolting fixtures to the walls.
When a truck was donated to the Thrift Store, Leggett and a friend built plywood sides and a top for it.
After they completed the job, another friend painted on it, ``Sanford & Sons.'' Leggett said, ``I had to paint over it.''
The Salvation Army truck is used to deliver large items and pick up some clothing orders three days a week.
``I've done a lot of bell-ringing,'' Leggett said. ``The basic purpose of the Salvation Army is saving souls, but they try to feed, clothe and house as many as they can.''
As a member of the Suffolk Kiwanis Club, Leggett, with the help of his wife Catherine, buys and gift-wraps toys for underprivileged children at an annual Salvation Army Christmas party. He has participated with other members of the Kiwanis Club in preparing and serving food to the participants of the annual March of Dimes Walkathon.
The Kiwanis Club also gives scholarships and sponsors an annual pancake breakfast to benefit the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Leggett said.
Twice a month, Leggett volunteers for Meals On Wheels and carries food to eight homes in the area.
A member of the finance committee and board of trustees of Magnolia United Methodist Church, Leggett has mowed grass, done maintenance work, and prepared meals for the Methodist men's dinner meeting.
``I can't cook,'' Leggett said, ``but I can cut up cabbage and potatoes and set up and decorate tables.''
A native of Norfolk, Leggett is the former president and owner of Nansemond Ford Tractor Inc. When he retired, his son, Michael A. Leggett, took over the family business.
Another Leggett son, Thomas B. Leggett, is an executive with the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The Leggetts also have two granddaughters.
``I could work eight hours a day doing for other people,'' Leggett said. ``I'm available whenever they need someone. . . as long as I have my health. Somebody needs to care.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
``I could work eight hours a day doing for other people,'' says
Harry Leggett, 74. ``I'm available whenever they need someone . . .
as long as I have my health. Somebody needs to care.''
by CNB