Caledonia Argus

Senior volunteer too busy for golf

Posted: 8/6/02

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

While many people see retirement as an opportunity to get out on the golf course, Harold Thompsonís clubs are gathering dust. He says he always thinks heíll get around to the golfing one day, but that day never seems to come. Instead, he spends many hours as a volunteer driver for Semcac, and as an active member of the Caledonia Lions. His role as an active volunteer in the community recently earned him recognition as an Outstanding Senior Citizen of Houston County. The other recipient of the award is Vera Hanson, Houston.

For 40 years, Harold was involved in the social services field. The last 20 years were spent as director of social services for Houston County, a job from which he retired five years ago.

When he made the decision to retire, Harold said he did briefly consider getting another job just to keep busy, but instead he volunteered as a driver for Semcac, and soon found that he was busy enough.

As a volunteer driver, Harold takes people to doctor appointments when they have no other way to get there. Many of the clients are elderly, but there are young parents with children who are in need of the service as well.

ìI like to drive,î said Harold. He also enjoys meeting people and helping put them at ease if they are are nervous about seeing a doctor.

Most elderly people have family members who can help them get around, but not everyone has that kind of help, Harold pointed out.

In addition, Harold has also been called upon to transport youths who are placed in residential facilities outside of Houston County back to their homes for vacations and holidays. Harold estimated that he put in about 90 hours of driving in May and June.

ìVolunteering is an extension of my career but without the paperwork,î Harold explained.

The Caledonia Lions also keep Harold busy. He is a past president and member of the board.

The Lions are busy with a variety of activities. This summer alone, the Lions sponsored the Friendship Wagon Train which benefitted Camp Winnebago, and are preparing to sponsor the annual Corn and Brat feed tonight at Merchants Bank to raise money for other Lions projects. In the Lions, Harold said he has found the friendships and fellowship that work once provided. ìItís even more so, because you are putting in more time,î he said.

Volunteering helps not only the person who receives the service, but the volunteers as well, Harold believes.

ìWhen you have a place to go and opportunities, itís good for your health to think about something other than yourself. It makes a lot of difference.î

Helping others also puts oneís own situation into perspective, said Harold. After heart surgery three years ago, he said he realizes that he has much to be thankful for and an even greater desire to stay active, involved, and helpful.

ìIím thankful for the opportunity to be able to do something for someone,î he commented.

When he is not volunteering, Harold enjoys woodworking. Before college, he spent time as a carpenter, stone mason and brick layer. It was after that experience that he decided that he didnít want to make a career of manual labor. But he still enjoys working with his hands and has made a number of pieces of furniture for his home, built a sunroom and a fireplace room, and tries to have a project every year for the county fair. He also enjoys some hunting and fishing, but reports that the fishing this year is ìterribleî. In the winter, he stays active with snowmobiling, skiing and ice skating. He has been recruited as a ìweederî for his wife Marlysí flower garden, and in the past has also been a volunteer for Caledonia Green and Founders Days. His goal for the future is to ìhopefully stay at this high level of activity.î

Harold and Marlys enjoy traveling and take a couple of trips a year. Harold has two children and Marlys seven, and together they have 23 grandchildren and one great grandchild. They are fortunate in that most live in the area and they are able to see them often.

For anyone considering retirement, Haroldís advice is ìLine something upóno doubt about that. Donít just quit.î

Harold and Vera Hanson will be honored at a special Senior Citizens Program at the County Fair on Thursday, August 15, at 1 p.m. in the entertainment tent.

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