THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 25, 1995 TAG: 9506230202
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Susie Stoughton
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
Do a really great job as a volunteer, and you'll have a difficult time quitting.
Ask Bill Ashley.
He's collected toys for underprivileged children in Suffolk for so many years that some people think of him as Santa Claus.
He can't find anyone willing to take his place.
It takes months and months to organize the Toys for Tots drive. Ashley starts early in the year, helping buy toys in bulk, then storing them in warehouses until December. He also organizes numerous used-toy collection parties at schools and day care centers in the city.
And he manages to get donations to buy toys - thousands of them given out each year, and the number of needy children grows every Christmas.
Finally, the toys have to be sorted according to the age and sex of the recipient, then packaged and prepared for Santa's helpers to pick up.
Ashley's ``job'' becomes full-time in the weeks just before Christmas.
He started the toy collection for the Suffolk Jaycees more than 30 years ago when he was an insurance agent. He's tried to train others to take over, but the toy drive has grown so big that he's become nearly irreplaceable.
Ashley was one of the volunteers honored last week by the Salvation Army at a recognition luncheon.
Lt. Joe Burton, commanding officer of the Suffolk Salvation Army, said Ashley was being honored for his dedication not only for the Salvation Army but for the city of Suffolk.
Ashley celebrated his 70th birthday on June 17. His family gathered, cooked him a meal and gave him presents. Then they celebrated all over again the next day, Father's Day.
He knows how difficult it is to find a replacement.
Or ask Gail Clements.
She reluctantly resigned last week from the Salvation Army's advisory board because of recent increased demands of her job at Southeastern Virginia Area Manpower Program, due to federal cut-backs.
``It's certainly not something she wants to do,'' said Bill Giermak, board chairman.
Clements, who had organized the luncheon, was ``easily one of the hardest working board members,'' Giermak said.
Her one fault is that she does it all herself, he said. ``If something needs to be organized, by golly, she'd get it done.''
Or ask Frances Daughtrey.
She's known as the ``doll lady.''
For about 15 years, Daughtrey has coordinated the doll and bear dressing program for the Salvation Army. She's arranged for numerous people throughout the area to make or buy clothes for baby dolls, Barbies and bears to be given away at Christmas.
And she sets up a doll tea each year with a special dedication service in the chapel, the dolls and bears lined up reverently on pews.
But recently, Daughtrey's health has not been the best and she's been forced to turn over the program to someone else.
She hasn't quit entirely.
``She is still dedicated today, just by making phone calls to help us out,'' Burton said.
His wife, Lt. Kathy Burton, is trying to pick up the program.
``I have dolls and bears up to my ears,'' she said. ``She would have gotten rid of them by now.''
Volunteers are invaluable to the Salvation Army program, Giermak said.
Numerous people help with the varied programs throughout the year. Without them, the work could not be done.
Col. J.B. Matthews, the Salvation Army's national treasurer and secretary for business and a Suffolk native, was the guest speaker at the luncheon.
He praised the work done by the local volunteers.
``You are unique and important,'' Matthews said. ``You give of your time and talents. You give of your hearts to others. You have made a brighter world.''
People like Ashley, Clements and Daughtrey and countless others have certainly made this part of the world brighter.
And the rewards they get from knowing how much good their efforts bring make it hard to let go, even when they must. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Until recently, volunteer Gail Clements served on the Salvation
Army's advisory board.
by CNB