THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 29, 1996 TAG: 9603270138
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
``If everyone would reach out in some small way to help others, what a difference this world would be,'' Tracy L. Clymer said. ``Whatever your talent, whether it is athlete, carpenter or entrepreneur, everyone should put something back into the community.''
Clymer not only helps others as part of his job but he spends much of his spare time planning events to benefit those who could use some extra help.
Since last fall Clymer has served as the community liaison for Chesapeake General Hospital's Comfortcare Home Health Services. He travels to community centers, civic organizations, business luncheons and office gatherings to share health care information.
Comfortcare offers assistance from prenatal to adult hospice care. Clymer meets with doctors and medical personnel to review the many roles of the health service programs. Other times he meets with neighborhood groups or families to discuss special services that can range from physical therapy to diabetes counseling or even to help with household chores.
Clymer also serves on the Comfortcare Hospice Council and the Board of Directors of Chesapeake Care, a local free clinic founded in 1992 by Dr. Juan Montero.
Away from work, Clymer stays busy coordinating fundraisers and benefits for Chesapeake Care Clinic, the United Way, the American Cancer Society, the sickle cell anemia campaign, local athletic booster clubs and many other programs that serve community needs.
``Often when I'm working with one cause, someone will mention another event that needs some attention,'' Clymer said. ``Before I know it, we're making plans.''
Clymer's career began when Chesapeake General Hospital first opened its doors. In 1974 while still a student at Great Bridge High School and later as a college student at Old Dominion University, he worked part-time in the hospital print shop.
In 1980 he helped with United Way fund raising at the hospital. Clymer said he quickly learned that a few dollars in an envelope was just as important as large company donations. He also likes the satisfaction of getting everyone involved with the excitement of the campaign and the feeling of making a difference.
Although still a college student and working, he found time to sign on for a four-year stint as a volunteer manager with ODU's Lady Monarchs basketball team. Here he recognized the celebrity status of athletes when the Lady Monarchs won the NCAA championship in 1985.
Clymer decided he wanted to combine the excitement and positive influence of athletes with his push for community involvement.
When Chesapeake Care captured his attention, Clymer called on his friend William Fuller to help raise money. Fuller, a graduate of Indian River High School, plays football for the Philadelphia Eagles.
On June 10 the fourth annual William Fuller Celebrity Golf Tournament will be held at the Cypress Point Country Club in Virginia Beach with all proceeds going to the clinic.
Last year Clymer tapped Darren Perry, a Deep Creek High School graduate who plays football for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Together they planned ``Intercept for Care.''
Perry agreed to donate $500 to the clinic for every interception he made during the season. Through matching community and business donations, $11,400 was raised. Clymer said the clinic already has $800 in pledges for next year's interceptions.
Now Clymer is busy with the NFL Players Celebrity Basketball Game scheduled for April 13 at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach. Keith Goganious of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Perry have invited NFL players Barry Foster, Carnell Lake, Ernie Mills, Yancey Thigpen, Bruce Smith and Rod Woodson to play. The game will aid sickle cell anemia research, the Union Mission, local athletic booster clubs and the STOP organization which offers programs for inter-city children.
With all his endeavors, Clymer has collected a wall of more than 100 celebrity pictures. He has posed with Michael Jordan, Joe Theismann and Dan Marino, to name only a few. A professed Steelers fan, Clymer is saving space for a photograph of Terry Bradshaw.
This fall there are benefits to assist ODU's plans for a Philippine Cultural Center and for Physicians for Peace, a group who provide medical missions.
But highlighted on his October calendar, just before football season, is one especially important event. On October 5, Clymer and Pam Pascual, a public relations director for the hospital, will be married. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
Tracy L. Clymer serves as liaison for Comfortcare Home Health
Services.
by CNB