THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 7, 1996 TAG: 9606060173
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER BENNETT, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 85 lines
DOROTHY WOOD'S commitment to volunteerism stems from a time when women majored in home economics and learned grocery shopping rather than promoting products and businesses in their marketing classes.
For 37 years, Wood has made it her business to assist those in need, especially the elderly. And although she now owns two construction businesses, she continues to do so.
``I think helping people is really important,'' said Wood, 57. ``That's what it's all about. The only thing you leave is your reputation.''
She so impressed the lawyers in her job as a volunteer court information aide at the Virginia Beach Judicial Center every Wednesday that they nominated her for the Liberty Bell award, which recognizes nonlawyers who have made a positive impact on the legal profession.
According to Tina Sinnen, volunteer coordinator, Wood has gone above and beyond the call of duty to assist the many elderly who have appeared in court because of unpaid medical bills. As a court information aide, she directs those she calls ``customers'' to their respective destinations, such as circuit court, traffic court and small claims court.
Mary Russo, a longtime friend and neighbor of Wood, said Wood is the initial contact that many people have in their first dealings with the law. Her presence takes the edge off the very formal, often intimidating court atmosphere for aged citizens.
Rather than just giving directions, however, Wood has helped push people in wheelchairs into the court room. Once, she suggested that impolite staff in the lobby undergo customer service training so they could be more courteous toward court patrons. Other times, Russo said Wood listens, makes referrals and ``gives out lots of hugs.''
``We all have an obligation to give back,'' said Wood from her Oceana area office. ``We're supposed to help each other in any way we can.''
Her Liberty Bell plaque will join the many others that decorate the walls of her office at JD&W Inc. and Gerling-Wood Construction Company. Another is from Meals on Wheels of Virginia Beach, which Wood founded 22 years ago.
That came about with the help of her friend Homer Cunningham, former owner of Lynn Shores Manor. She told him about Meals on Wheels, which her father, Harry Leach, had been involved with in Alexandria. Cunningham responded by supplying the resources, food and a place to prepare it, needed to jump start the Virginia Beach program.
Now more than 500 Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver prepared food to more than 150 area elderly, convalescent and handicapped residents at little or no cost daily. This service enables the elderly to maintain their independence and have regular contact with other people. And, unlike government programs, this effort relies on private funding, so there are no income guidelines or restrictions.
``We serve the very rich to the very poor,'' said Mary Stowe, executive director of Meals on Wheels of Virginia Beach.
Although Wood, the program founder, now sits on the board, she is still active in the day-to-day process. Stowe recalled a day when Wood walked in and saw her packing meals alone. Realizing the enormity of the task, Wood, dressed in a three-piece suit, prepared the food packages.
Raised in Alexandria, she has lived in Virginia Beach for more than 30 years with her husband of 37 years, Jim Wood. Early in her marriage, she stayed home and raised her two sons, Christopher and Jim. She volunteered with the Boy Scouts and the PTA.
Later, she started her own construction firm. Owning a business wasn't something she expected when she majored in home economics at Madison College. She remembers learning how to grocery shop in her marketing class at Madison while her husband-to-be was learning actual marketing in his classes at Washington and Lee.
The business began when one of her husband's friends asked him to build a shoe store. Jim Wood didn't have time to do it, so he asked his wife to take on the project. She agreed.
``I thought it would be fun,'' she said. Over 17 years, her ``kitchen-type business'' grew into two construction companies.
Her professional work provides her with a sense of pride, but she is most proud of her volunteer work, and puts it in an entirely different category than her business.
``It makes me have a sense of purpose in life,'' Wood said. ``You weren't put here to take care of yourself.''
Currently, Wood is spearheading the Homer Cunningham Fund for Meals on Wheels. For information, call 340-2066. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
``I think helping people is really important,'' says Dorothy Wood,
who so impressed lawyers as a court volunteer that she won the
Liberty Bell award, which recognizes non-lawyers who have made a
positive impact on the legal profession. ``. . . The only thing you
leave is your reputation,'' she says. by CNB