Local Retiree and WWII Veteran Donates Time, Money to Zachary
By Emily Holden
Editor’s Note: Did you know there are angels living in Zachary? Angels are people who donate many hours to community service, and who you almost never see without a smile on their face.
As the holiday season approaches, we thought we would introduce you to some of Zachary’s very special “angels.” We hope learning a little about them may even inspire you to volunteer. Meanwhile, next time you see an “angel” at work, please stop and thank them for all they do to make Zachary a better place.
He
has volunteered in Zachary for 20 years, giving more than 120 hours of
his time each month. He works at the food pantry, the hospital and the
U.S.S. Kidd, loves history, is a WWII veteran and runs marathons and 5k
races. And he turned 87 on November 2.
Dick Findlay has been an active member of the Zachary community for almost threebout two decades, giving more than 120 hours of his time each month since 1988. He retired in 1985 from River Bend Nuclear in St. Francisville and began to volunteer at the Zachary food pantry. He said he worked 44 years with the company and moved 23 times, finally retiring when he was asked to transfer to Californiaornia. After retirement, he began to volunteer at the Zachary food pantry.
Findlay said he began volunteering with his wife, MaryXX. She was a pink lady at Lane Regional Medical Center for 20XX years. The two were the first couple to ever be recognizedreceive recognition as Zachary citizens of the year. They continued to contribute to the community together until Mary passed away in 2000.
"We both volunteered and after she passed away I continued volunteering," Findlay said. "Volunteering keeps me busy. I'm not a TV addict. I just want to keep busy and I enjoy the work and helping."
Community Work
Findlay works with six other volunteers at the food pantry, mostly retirees and homemakers. He handles local donations and purchases some food from Sam's Club. He is in charge of placing food orders at the Baton Rouge Food Bank and collecting collects barrels from food drives around town. He handles local donations and purchases some food from Sam's Club, as well.
Findlay said he also usually works about 70 to 80 hours a month at the hospital, making beds and stocking supplies. He sometimes runs errands for nurses.
"It's just the company. And every place I volunteer, I enjoy. It seems the people I work with are all different," Findlay said. "Just being around younger people - I like that too."
Zachary Mayor Henry Martinez said Findlay stands out in the community because of his stamina, whether he is volunteering or running races.
"In volunteering at the food pantry, it's not just showing up to the food pantry and giving food out," Martinez said. "He uses his own vehicle with his own fuel and drives to the Baton Rouge Food Bank. If they don't have enough to give to him, he will go to different stores with donated funds that he has helped to raise and buy those missing items to make sure that the people who need food have something nutritious to eat."
Findlay said volunteering in a small community makes it easier for him to see the results of his work. He said he enjoys volunteering because it affects so many in the society.
"I like to relate to people, and, you know, converse with people," Findlay said. "Especially people who lived in the same place I have- in the country- it's interesting to converse with them."
Martinez said Findlay is modest about his contributions to the community.
"Mr. Dick Findlay is not the type of person to beat his own drum or blow his own horn so if you really had to investigate, we would all be shocked and amazed with how involved he is throughout the whole community," Martinez said.
Findlay's fascination with history lead him to start volunteering at the U.S.S. Kidd in 1985. He does restoration and maintenance work on the ship, stenciling and winding clocks.
"That's why volunteers down there do volunteer work - just to keep the thing alive," he said.
The Extra Mile
When Findlay isn't working, he's staying in shape. He ran a three-mile race just a few weeks ago. He said other runners don't believe him when he tells them his age.
Findlay has been running with the same group of friends for about 20 years. He said the company is like family to him.
Martinez said Findlay has a heart for service. and a natural gift for contributing to the welfare of the community.
"First of all, to do what Mr. Dick does you have to care about people. And then, I think you have to realize that it's a blessing that God has given him to have the wisdom and vision to see a need and have the want to fill it," Martinez said.
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By Emily Holden
Editor’s Note: Did you know there are angels living in Zachary? Angels are people who donate many hours to community service, and who you almost never see without a smile on their face.
As the holiday season approaches, we thought we would introduce you to some of Zachary’s very special “angels.” We hope learning a little about them may even inspire you to volunteer. Meanwhile, next time you see an “angel” at work, please stop and thank them for all they do to make Zachary a better place.
He
has volunteered in Zachary for 20 years, giving more than 120 hours of
his time each month. He works at the food pantry, the hospital and the
U.S.S. Kidd, loves history, is a WWII veteran and runs marathons and 5k
races. And he turned 87 on November 2.Dick Findlay has been an active member of the Zachary community for almost threebout two decades, giving more than 120 hours of his time each month since 1988. He retired in 1985 from River Bend Nuclear in St. Francisville and began to volunteer at the Zachary food pantry. He said he worked 44 years with the company and moved 23 times, finally retiring when he was asked to transfer to Californiaornia. After retirement, he began to volunteer at the Zachary food pantry.
Findlay said he began volunteering with his wife, MaryXX. She was a pink lady at Lane Regional Medical Center for 20XX years. The two were the first couple to ever be recognizedreceive recognition as Zachary citizens of the year. They continued to contribute to the community together until Mary passed away in 2000.
"We both volunteered and after she passed away I continued volunteering," Findlay said. "Volunteering keeps me busy. I'm not a TV addict. I just want to keep busy and I enjoy the work and helping."
Community Work
Findlay works with six other volunteers at the food pantry, mostly retirees and homemakers. He handles local donations and purchases some food from Sam's Club. He is in charge of placing food orders at the Baton Rouge Food Bank and collecting collects barrels from food drives around town. He handles local donations and purchases some food from Sam's Club, as well.
Findlay said he also usually works about 70 to 80 hours a month at the hospital, making beds and stocking supplies. He sometimes runs errands for nurses.
"It's just the company. And every place I volunteer, I enjoy. It seems the people I work with are all different," Findlay said. "Just being around younger people - I like that too."
Zachary Mayor Henry Martinez said Findlay stands out in the community because of his stamina, whether he is volunteering or running races.
"In volunteering at the food pantry, it's not just showing up to the food pantry and giving food out," Martinez said. "He uses his own vehicle with his own fuel and drives to the Baton Rouge Food Bank. If they don't have enough to give to him, he will go to different stores with donated funds that he has helped to raise and buy those missing items to make sure that the people who need food have something nutritious to eat."
Findlay said volunteering in a small community makes it easier for him to see the results of his work. He said he enjoys volunteering because it affects so many in the society.
"I like to relate to people, and, you know, converse with people," Findlay said. "Especially people who lived in the same place I have- in the country- it's interesting to converse with them."
Martinez said Findlay is modest about his contributions to the community.
"Mr. Dick Findlay is not the type of person to beat his own drum or blow his own horn so if you really had to investigate, we would all be shocked and amazed with how involved he is throughout the whole community," Martinez said.
Findlay's fascination with history lead him to start volunteering at the U.S.S. Kidd in 1985. He does restoration and maintenance work on the ship, stenciling and winding clocks.
"That's why volunteers down there do volunteer work - just to keep the thing alive," he said.
The Extra Mile
When Findlay isn't working, he's staying in shape. He ran a three-mile race just a few weeks ago. He said other runners don't believe him when he tells them his age.
Findlay has been running with the same group of friends for about 20 years. He said the company is like family to him.
Martinez said Findlay has a heart for service. and a natural gift for contributing to the welfare of the community.
"First of all, to do what Mr. Dick does you have to care about people. And then, I think you have to realize that it's a blessing that God has given him to have the wisdom and vision to see a need and have the want to fill it," Martinez said.
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ZHS Student Micah Scott Goes Above and Beyond
By: Emily Faget
Most
would say a 3.9 GPA is quite an achievement. But what about a 3.9 GPA,
being Beta Club president, a member of the drama department, Mock Trial
Team, Student Government second VP and an active church member?
Senior Micah Scott, 17, may be busy but loves every minute of it. “I’m naturally a high strung person, really. I love to organize,” Scott said.
Organization is the name of the game for Scott as Beta Club president. He presides over every meeting, gets the club ready for conventions and arranges volunteer work with the community.
“Last year at convention I ran around the whole time. But I love it. I love doing it and being with all my friends,” Scott said.
This doesn’t mean Scott never runs out of steam. He recalls a time last year when he was helping with Zachary High’s production of “Bye, Bye Birdie,” getting ready for Mock Trial competition, participating in Beta – on top of his normal school work. Scott was at school until 9 p.m. those nights. “Looking back, that was definitely the roughest academic week of my life,” Scott said.
So how does Scott keep it together? “Sometimes you feel like you’re never gonna get it all done, but you just try to not think about the overwhelming things a lot,” he said.
Scott learns his work ethic and optimistic attitude from his father, the most important role model in his life. “What my dad taught me was you can’t ‘halfway’ do something. You have to work hard and do it all the way,” he said.
Scott’s father bought a business two years ago and has worked hard to make it a success. Scott said this taught him through actions rather than words what it takes to be the best.
Scott and his parents are also active members at Church of the Burning Fire. Scott says he is at church an average of six times during one week.
Church of the Burning Fire’s director Paul Bergeron is another role model of Scott’s. He constantly maintains, assists and organizes the church, much like Scott does for the Beta Club. Bergeron’s motivation inspires Scott. “He works harder than anyone I’ve ever seen,” he said.
Scott also finds inspiration in helping Zachary’s Relay for Life. He has assisted with the event since fourth grade and now takes a more active role through the Beta Club.
But it’s not just hard work that motivates him - it’s also the community volunteers. “I just can’t imagine going through what they’ve been through and I feel better knowing that I’m doing something to help,” he said.
Scott added that the entire community’s participation in the event is what makes it such a rewarding experience.
Having lived in Zachary his entire life, Scott finds many ways to volunteer in his community. He has helped not only his school, but the middle and elementary schools as well. “I imagine that if I lived somewhere else, I’d still volunteer, but the town here gives more opportunity to get involved,” he said.
When asked what he does in his free time, Scott laughs again. “Besides sleep?”
Although Scott doesn’t have much time to himself, the little he has is spent catching up on sleep or reading a good book. His favorite books include John Grisham novels and other suspense thrillers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Emily Faget
Most
would say a 3.9 GPA is quite an achievement. But what about a 3.9 GPA,
being Beta Club president, a member of the drama department, Mock Trial
Team, Student Government second VP and an active church member?Senior Micah Scott, 17, may be busy but loves every minute of it. “I’m naturally a high strung person, really. I love to organize,” Scott said.
Organization is the name of the game for Scott as Beta Club president. He presides over every meeting, gets the club ready for conventions and arranges volunteer work with the community.
“Last year at convention I ran around the whole time. But I love it. I love doing it and being with all my friends,” Scott said.
This doesn’t mean Scott never runs out of steam. He recalls a time last year when he was helping with Zachary High’s production of “Bye, Bye Birdie,” getting ready for Mock Trial competition, participating in Beta – on top of his normal school work. Scott was at school until 9 p.m. those nights. “Looking back, that was definitely the roughest academic week of my life,” Scott said.
So how does Scott keep it together? “Sometimes you feel like you’re never gonna get it all done, but you just try to not think about the overwhelming things a lot,” he said.
Scott learns his work ethic and optimistic attitude from his father, the most important role model in his life. “What my dad taught me was you can’t ‘halfway’ do something. You have to work hard and do it all the way,” he said.
Scott’s father bought a business two years ago and has worked hard to make it a success. Scott said this taught him through actions rather than words what it takes to be the best.
Scott and his parents are also active members at Church of the Burning Fire. Scott says he is at church an average of six times during one week.
Church of the Burning Fire’s director Paul Bergeron is another role model of Scott’s. He constantly maintains, assists and organizes the church, much like Scott does for the Beta Club. Bergeron’s motivation inspires Scott. “He works harder than anyone I’ve ever seen,” he said.
Scott also finds inspiration in helping Zachary’s Relay for Life. He has assisted with the event since fourth grade and now takes a more active role through the Beta Club.
But it’s not just hard work that motivates him - it’s also the community volunteers. “I just can’t imagine going through what they’ve been through and I feel better knowing that I’m doing something to help,” he said.
Scott added that the entire community’s participation in the event is what makes it such a rewarding experience.
Having lived in Zachary his entire life, Scott finds many ways to volunteer in his community. He has helped not only his school, but the middle and elementary schools as well. “I imagine that if I lived somewhere else, I’d still volunteer, but the town here gives more opportunity to get involved,” he said.
When asked what he does in his free time, Scott laughs again. “Besides sleep?”
Although Scott doesn’t have much time to himself, the little he has is spent catching up on sleep or reading a good book. His favorite books include John Grisham novels and other suspense thrillers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bank of Zachary Employee Gives 30 Years of Service
By Jenny Kornuta
Laura
Steen is a true champion of volunteerism within her community.
Originally from McComb, Miss., she has almost 30 years of service under
her belt, and has no plans to quit any time soon.
Steen first moved to Zachary in 1976 when her husband Will got a job working for a paper company. In 1979, while raising her young daughter Rachel, Steen decided to get a part-time job at the local bank. She has worked for the Bank of Zachary ever since and currently serves as the Operations and Security Officer.
Steen attributes her volunteer ambitions to to working at the bank. When she first started working there, one of the directors asked her to become involved in the McHugh House Museum, formerly a part of the Zachary Chamber of Commerce.
Since that project, she has moved from organization to organization, volunteering her time and effort. “The bank has been supportive of the employees’ participation [in community-oriented activities], and we appreciate the fact that they allow us [the opportunity] to give back to the community,” Steen states.
She has also continued her involvement with the Chamber, contributing greatly to its development. Steen was president of the Chamber in 1990, and since then has overseen the creation of fundraising efforts like the Zachary Sausage Festival and Z Festival. Currently, she serves as the treasurer of Z Fest.
Of all of the organizations and projects Steen has worked with over the years, the Foundation Assisting Zachary Education (FAZE) has been her favorite and the one she has worked with the longest. FAZE is an organization comprised of volunteers who give 100 percent of profits raised for local school expenses.
FAZE works “to further the excellence of education in Zachary,” according to Steen, and is satisfied knowing that all of the money goes to that end. The funds are used to buy computers, software, textbooks, calculators, maps, anything “to make [teachers’] jobs easier,” Steen said.
FAZE’s main fundraising effort is an annual mail-out to Zachary residents in July. FAZE also participates in the city’s Christmas Open House, selling $2 raffle tickets for a $1,000 prize. Last year, FAZE raised over $1,800 at the open house – money that went straight back into the community.
Projects and events such as these are what keep Steen volunteering in Zachary. Since her family moved here, she has fallen in love with the small-town feel and the family-oriented atmosphere of Zachary. “You feel like a part of the community,” Steen said.
Steen’s desire to promote and sustain Zachary’s strong family standards is not only reflected in her volunteer efforts, but also in her own life. With her only daughter living in Italy with her husband and 2 daughters, she keeps in touch by using an online service that allows users to view and talk to each other over the internet.
Steen has also been involved with the First Baptist Church in Zachary for years. She used to be a backstage regular at the annual Christmas play, and was once director of the young adult Sunday school department, which focuses on helping young, single professionals meet one another. Her daughter was in that particular age group at the time, which inspired her to help young adults struggling in between major phases in their lives.
What with working a full-time job at the bank, sitting on the Executive Committee of Z Fest, serving as Secretary of the Baton Rouge Area Bankers Security Association, and participating in many other various community efforts and projects, one might wonder if Steen ever has the chance to just relax. However, her and her husband of 40 years do find time to keep an interesting hobby: aviation. Both husband and wife are members of the Baton Rouge Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 244, made up of pilots who participate in recreational fly-ins to different cities and towns.
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Cancer Survivor Gives Back to American Cancer Society
By Emily Holden
It's
the middle of the night and Frank Ragsdale reaches for his ringing
telephone. On the line is a friend suffering from cancer. The
anxieties, the unanswered questions, Ragsdale is willing to talk about
it all.
Ragsdale has been in remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma for four years. He has experienced chemotherapy and is an anesthesiologist, as well. This puts him in a unique position to counsel others with cancer.
"There's nausea, vomiting, fatigue. You know of course your hair loss...that didn't bother me," Ragsdale said. "It totally wrecks your body. You don't eat. You have to force yourself to eat. You have this metallic taste in your mouth and by the time you get rid of that taste and start to feel a little better, you have to go back."
Ragsdale said cancer takes a toll of families financially, as well. He missed work for eight months during treatment.
"Chemo is the gift that keeps on giving. I have neuropathy of my hands, my feet, my legs. You're never the same," he said. "But at least every day you wake up you're looking down at the grass, you're not looking up at it."
Ragsdale said he was fortunate to have a great medical team and good insurance, but that others are not as lucky. He said ACS has support groups, financial aid, and nourishments for special diets.
Because of the unfaltering care he received during treatment, Ragsdale still feels he owes a debt to the American Cancer Society for providing him support and knowledge from other cancer survivors. He has worked extensively with ACS, coordinating Relay for Life and lobbying in the nation's capitol. Ragsdale also frequented the state capitol when working to pass the Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act enacted in 2007 and also to acquire funding for cancer screenings.
Ragsdale has been a Relay for Life participant, co-chairman, chairman and team recruitment and logistics chair. He said his favorite part of Relay for Life is coordinating fundraisers. He has been involved with pie throwings, dunking booths, candy and food sales and coin drives.
He said volunteering is time-consuming for all involved, particularly for those asking businesses for donations. He said he "just makes time" and often volunteers on his day off of work from Lane Regional Medical Center.
"We're competing with the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, Susan G. Komen," he said. "It seems like everybody's asking for donations."
Ragsdale said businesses are not the only Relay for Life contributors.
"This community has been very supportive of this event, especially the hospital," he said. "The hospital really has the get-up and go to raise money for us."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Jenny Kornuta
Laura
Steen is a true champion of volunteerism within her community.
Originally from McComb, Miss., she has almost 30 years of service under
her belt, and has no plans to quit any time soon.Steen first moved to Zachary in 1976 when her husband Will got a job working for a paper company. In 1979, while raising her young daughter Rachel, Steen decided to get a part-time job at the local bank. She has worked for the Bank of Zachary ever since and currently serves as the Operations and Security Officer.
Steen attributes her volunteer ambitions to to working at the bank. When she first started working there, one of the directors asked her to become involved in the McHugh House Museum, formerly a part of the Zachary Chamber of Commerce.
Since that project, she has moved from organization to organization, volunteering her time and effort. “The bank has been supportive of the employees’ participation [in community-oriented activities], and we appreciate the fact that they allow us [the opportunity] to give back to the community,” Steen states.
She has also continued her involvement with the Chamber, contributing greatly to its development. Steen was president of the Chamber in 1990, and since then has overseen the creation of fundraising efforts like the Zachary Sausage Festival and Z Festival. Currently, she serves as the treasurer of Z Fest.
Of all of the organizations and projects Steen has worked with over the years, the Foundation Assisting Zachary Education (FAZE) has been her favorite and the one she has worked with the longest. FAZE is an organization comprised of volunteers who give 100 percent of profits raised for local school expenses.
FAZE works “to further the excellence of education in Zachary,” according to Steen, and is satisfied knowing that all of the money goes to that end. The funds are used to buy computers, software, textbooks, calculators, maps, anything “to make [teachers’] jobs easier,” Steen said.
FAZE’s main fundraising effort is an annual mail-out to Zachary residents in July. FAZE also participates in the city’s Christmas Open House, selling $2 raffle tickets for a $1,000 prize. Last year, FAZE raised over $1,800 at the open house – money that went straight back into the community.
Projects and events such as these are what keep Steen volunteering in Zachary. Since her family moved here, she has fallen in love with the small-town feel and the family-oriented atmosphere of Zachary. “You feel like a part of the community,” Steen said.
Steen’s desire to promote and sustain Zachary’s strong family standards is not only reflected in her volunteer efforts, but also in her own life. With her only daughter living in Italy with her husband and 2 daughters, she keeps in touch by using an online service that allows users to view and talk to each other over the internet.
Steen has also been involved with the First Baptist Church in Zachary for years. She used to be a backstage regular at the annual Christmas play, and was once director of the young adult Sunday school department, which focuses on helping young, single professionals meet one another. Her daughter was in that particular age group at the time, which inspired her to help young adults struggling in between major phases in their lives.
What with working a full-time job at the bank, sitting on the Executive Committee of Z Fest, serving as Secretary of the Baton Rouge Area Bankers Security Association, and participating in many other various community efforts and projects, one might wonder if Steen ever has the chance to just relax. However, her and her husband of 40 years do find time to keep an interesting hobby: aviation. Both husband and wife are members of the Baton Rouge Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 244, made up of pilots who participate in recreational fly-ins to different cities and towns.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cancer Survivor Gives Back to American Cancer Society
By Emily Holden
It's
the middle of the night and Frank Ragsdale reaches for his ringing
telephone. On the line is a friend suffering from cancer. The
anxieties, the unanswered questions, Ragsdale is willing to talk about
it all.Ragsdale has been in remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma for four years. He has experienced chemotherapy and is an anesthesiologist, as well. This puts him in a unique position to counsel others with cancer.
"There's nausea, vomiting, fatigue. You know of course your hair loss...that didn't bother me," Ragsdale said. "It totally wrecks your body. You don't eat. You have to force yourself to eat. You have this metallic taste in your mouth and by the time you get rid of that taste and start to feel a little better, you have to go back."
Ragsdale said cancer takes a toll of families financially, as well. He missed work for eight months during treatment.
"Chemo is the gift that keeps on giving. I have neuropathy of my hands, my feet, my legs. You're never the same," he said. "But at least every day you wake up you're looking down at the grass, you're not looking up at it."
Ragsdale said he was fortunate to have a great medical team and good insurance, but that others are not as lucky. He said ACS has support groups, financial aid, and nourishments for special diets.
Because of the unfaltering care he received during treatment, Ragsdale still feels he owes a debt to the American Cancer Society for providing him support and knowledge from other cancer survivors. He has worked extensively with ACS, coordinating Relay for Life and lobbying in the nation's capitol. Ragsdale also frequented the state capitol when working to pass the Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act enacted in 2007 and also to acquire funding for cancer screenings.
Ragsdale has been a Relay for Life participant, co-chairman, chairman and team recruitment and logistics chair. He said his favorite part of Relay for Life is coordinating fundraisers. He has been involved with pie throwings, dunking booths, candy and food sales and coin drives.
He said volunteering is time-consuming for all involved, particularly for those asking businesses for donations. He said he "just makes time" and often volunteers on his day off of work from Lane Regional Medical Center.
"We're competing with the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, Susan G. Komen," he said. "It seems like everybody's asking for donations."
Ragsdale said businesses are not the only Relay for Life contributors.
"This community has been very supportive of this event, especially the hospital," he said. "The hospital really has the get-up and go to raise money for us."
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