VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT FOR OCTOBER OF 2021

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT FOR OCTOBER IS DAVE WALKER!

*The following write-up/picture is the latest edition of our monthly volunteer spotlight of volunteers in the Westfield Rec. Dept. We are blessed in the Rec. Dept. to have so many wonderful people who do and have volunteered their time both now and, in the past, to make our department and programs/events what they are today. We want to say THANK YOU! To nominate someone for volunteer spotlight, please send us a private message on Facebook or call/text Andrew at 753-6842.

Our volunteer spotlight for October is Dave Walker. Dave has volunteered in the Rec. Dept. for about 20 years. He has volunteered in various programs including the Tour of Chautauqua Bike Ride, the Welch Field pool (specifically with taking off and putting on the cover each year), and as the uncle of the Rec. Director, he has helped with numerous “small” projects in all kinds of Rec. Dept. programs. Dave has been a lifesaver in so many ways as he is so talented, gracious with his time, and willing to help people. As an active member of our local Fire Department, Dave has truly been a lifesaver and just an amazing example to our community of what it is like to give up your own personal time and to help those in need.

Dave has helped with a lot of programs and events over the years. However, his favorite is the event he has helped out with the longest, which is the Tour of Chautauqua bike ride “I use to go with my father-in-law (Bob Webster) and we spent the day together (serving as a sag wagon). It was fun marking the course the day before (Dave use to help former Rec. Director Venn Blakely with preparing for the Tour). I also worked with my nephew (Andrew Webster) and brother-in-law (Steve Webster) on the ride.” As the current Rec. Director, I have overseen the Tour for the last 6 years, but my roots with the Tour started when I was a kid and I spent many years riding in the sag wagon with my dad at first, then Uncle Dave. Dave would give the Tour everything he had and would not overlook any small detail. He always wanted to make sure that he had everything in his truck that the riders could possibly need, and it was of utmost importance to him to make sure that all the riders were safe throughout the day.

Dave is the kind of person, who cares much more about other people than himself, and will do anything he can to help others. He helps family members, friends, co-workers, etc. with various things all the time. He loves serving his community as part of the Fire Dept. He would not want this honor of being the volunteer spotlight, but would rather it be bestowed upon all those who serve as first responders in our community. So, we tip our cap to all of you first responders, and we thank you all SO MUCH for everything you sacrifice to keep our community safe. It takes a special person to want to give so much of their time and energy to volunteer and help others. When asked why he does these things, Dave had a simple response: “It is nice to work with other people for the betterment of our community.” Working with other people to make the community better is exactly what Dave does. We are so blessed to have him and others like him in our community and we are truly better off for it. Thank you, Dave!

Past Volunteer Spotlights:

July 2020: Christian Caballero

August 2020: Carol Reynolds

September 2020: Don Parker

October 2020: Luci Petrella

November 2020: John Emmons

December 2020: The Baum Family (Chris, Shannon, Mason, and Logan)

January 2021: Chris Anderson

February 2021: Roger Miller

March 2021: The Dellow Family (Wade, Wendy, Hunter, and Haleigh)

April 2021: Jim Van Dyke

May 2021: Josh & Amy Belcher