Page 10 - Leisure Living Magazine: Holiday 2020 Edition

Volunteers Who Give
As a volunteer Keith served on boards for the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau, Stein Hospice, Otterbein Northshore, Marblehead Chamber of Commerce, and Ottawa County Historical Society, among others. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and driving his golf cart, the “Green Hornet.” Preceded in death by his wife Gwen, Keith is great- ly missed by Amy, son Steve, and three grandchil- dren.
“Ottawa County meant the world to Dad, and he wanted others to share those experiences,” con- cluded Amy. “Volunteering was a way to give back to the community that gave so much to him.”
Sharon Barnes - Helping Philanthropy Bloom
By Maggie Kelch, Feature Writer
After graduating from The Ohio State University in 1968, Sharon Barnes worked as a teacher at the Sandusky and Huron City Schools. At the same time, she worked alongside her hus- band, Bob, in the family business, Barnes Nursery. Eventually, she left teaching behind to successfully focus on growing the organics recovery and com- posting side of the business.
Today, while she is still active in the business, Sharon is no longer involved in the day to day work, enabling her to lend her time and talents to several local organizations. Her experience, as both a teacher and businesswoman make her a valuable volunteer.
“When I was in the world of work 24/7, I wasn’t able to donate time like I have in the past few
years,” she said. “It’s so import- ant to be able to help where you can. It’s especially good to be able to do more than support things financially, but to also give of your time,” she added.
Sharon is
on the boards of
KinShip House,
the Huron
Educational
Foundation and Bayshore Counseling. In the past, she served on the Huron Board of Education and EHOVE Career Center as well as the Huron and Erie County Chambers of Commerce and several others.
Volunteering provides her with an opportu- nity to meet tremendous people and enables her to get to know the fabric of the community. “You learn about the families, businesses, government and the social service organizations that enhance the quality of life for everyone. The fact that communities have these opportunities for their residents is phenomenal,” she said.
With her positive attitude and willingness to serve others, Sharon continues to make a differ- ence beyond the world of work.
Teaching Others Relationship Building - Art Heslet
By Brenda Hass, Feature Writer
U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Veteran Art Heslet volunteered for the draft (1954) and became a familiar community figure in Ottawa County, in the more than half-century since his return from the service. A Fremont native, he worked at Ford in Sandusky before seeking a BGSU Education degree in Industrial Arts.
“I learned a trade, have a knack for working with my hands, and like to help people,” said the retired educator, who first taught in McComb, Ohio. Art coached football, track, and cheer- leading and met Joan, the love of his life. He “married the boss’ (Superintendent’s) daughter,”
Sharon Barnes
“I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing that I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.”
~ William Penn
Each year it is the tradition of Leisure Living Magazine to honor volunteers whose efforts make someone else’s life more easier because of their own commitment of time and talents. There is a common thread that ties the annual honorees of the Leisure Living Magazine “Giving Back” feature and that thread is the recipients’ attitude of modesty and their desire to shine the light away from themselves. The 2020 group is no exception!
~ Barb Clemons, Editor
10 |LeisureLiving Holiday 2020
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