Success Stories About
Volunteers
It's All in the Family
Mississippi River Project: Story by Steven Vacek
A privilege
and gift provided to the Mississippi River Project in terms of volunteer
activities doesn't bestow itself too often, but the Project has been blessed
with having this situation come to life. This wonderful story began in 1991
when Mr. Richard Haggard, of East Moline, Illinois started his volunteer
career with the Rock Island District. His story has not ended yet, he has
worked over 3800 volunteer hours during his 9 years of service and hours
are still accumulating.
How time flies, I still remember the day that Mr. Haggard and I discussed
his volunteer roles and responsibilities. He would be assigned to work at
the Mississippi River Visitor Center and assist with answering visitors
questions, taking care of brochure inventories and performing minor maintenance
tasks. He welcomed these tasks with a zeal of youthful enthusiasm and looked
forward in starting work. During our interview, he described his past experiences
and was looking forward in fulfilling his goals now that he was retired.
Richard is not a native Quad Citian, but was born in Mercer, Missouri. He
and his wife, Barbara, whom recently celebrated their 49 years of marriage,
moved to the Cities in 1953 after he served his Country during the Korean
Conflict.
For the first couple of years, he worked at Alcoa and Riverside Foundry and
then started his 30-year career at John Deere Harvester. While there, he
worked as a "Machine Set-Up Man". His experiences and expertise that he accrued
were helpful in performing his volunteer responsibilities. As time went by,
Richard's responsibilities expanded to include assisting with special events
and activities. Mr. Haggard would always lend a hand and assist where the
need presented itself. He would rarely decline an offer to help with a special
event such as. Armed Forces Day, fishing clinics, open houses, water safety
fairs and events and displays held in malls and exhibit areas.
His dedication to performing a task completely and done right speaks highly
of his work ethic. Another important point to make is that though out his
volunteer career at the Center, he has only missed ONE DAY OF WORK! Now here
is "the rest of the story." Having Richard as a volunteer was a great addition
to the Center's operational activities and provided the Mississippi River
Project with a volunteer to be very proud of. What he also
provided was a
"pool" of other family members that also provided volunteer service and hours
to the project and the Corps district as well.
Another member
of the Haggard family that provided many volunteer hours was his grandson,
Jason. His volunteer activities began in 1994 when he was only 14 years old.
How time flies by when you're having fun. Currently, he is in the Armed Forces
serving his country in the Air Force. He began his military career in 1998
and is stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
He is an Avionics Specialist and is responsible in working on the F-16 Fighters
that are attached to the VIPORS GROUP. Jason is the son of Bill Haggard who
resides in Moline, Illinois.
His volunteer
experience consisted of assisting with many special events. When the project
had a Woodsy Owl costume, Jason was the person who spent many sweaty hours
inside the costume meeting and greeting the public, especially the younger
children. He also assisted with the yearly fishing clinics and Armed Forces
Day celebrations. Like his Granddad, he accepted his volunteer responsibilities
with a smile and provided the public with the "customer care" ethic that
the Corps expects. During his volunteer career, he worked over 200 hours.
Last but not least, a word of accomplishment and thanks needs to be made
to Mr. Haggard's wife and Jason's Grandmother-Barbara. She also spent many
hours working behind the scenes; assisting Jason with the Woodsy costume
and providing desserts and other "goodies" at many of the special events
that the center provided. Mr. and Mrs. Haggard are not only active with the
volunteer activities at the Corps but are involved with many community functions
as well. They are both involved with and spend much time with the United
Township Senior Group. Richard is currently the President of this organization.
They also work as Judges of Elections and are involved with the Court Watch
Program for Rock Island County.
Mr. Haggard is also the Vice President of the South Moline Township Seniors,
Head Deacon of his church and is a member of the school advisory board for
the United Township. Mr. Haggard throughout his volunteer career has
touched many lives-certainly mine. He has shown me what dedication to family
and work is and has demonstrated what it means to be a volunteer.
Thank you for your unending dedication and zeal that you devote to the Corps
and Project. What an accomplishment! All of the Corps family wishes the very
best for you, your wife and Jason. Keep up the Great Work…..to be continued.
Do you have a volunteer success story to share?
We will rotate
stories and print them as space becomes available.
