Volunteer Spotlight

It is said that if you want something done, ask a busy person!  That holds true in the case of Bill & Dorothy Appelgate.  With nearly 50 homebound seniors in Story City dependent on a wide network of volunteers to receive meals 5 days a week, occasionally Heartland Senior Services needs to find a volunteer sub in a hurry.  Many times it has been the Appelgates that are called upon to fill the gap. This is partly because they have their name on many volunteer lists:  RSVP, Grace Methodist Church, and Story City Kiwanis!

In looking into the background of these willing volunteers, we find that Bill attended Toledo High School and farmed in the Ellsworth area for 27 years.   It was the farm that provided his basic hands-on training, both mechanically and with carpentry.  He used that experience to move on to construction work, specializing in electricity and plumbing.

Dorothy attended school at Ellsworth and Webster City High School and as a young woman she became a busy mom, raising six children.  After the children were grown, she worked at a doctor’s office in Iowa Falls, then moved to Story City where she was the elementary school secretary for many years.  Bill and Dorothy knew of each other only minimally, but after Bill lost his wife, fate drew them together and they were married in 1974.

The Appelgates have made quite an amazing volunteer team these past 30 years.  Bill has worked extensively with the International Heifer Project, including serving on the International Foundation Board and traveling into Africa, Thailand, China, and South America.  He also has served on the United Way Campaign, RSVP Board of Directors, president of Story City Kiwanis, and in various capacities with the United Methodist Church, including the founding of the In-Gathering Project (which currently provides  over $1 million toward world hunger relief).  He was most deservingly named one of the Tribune’s Unsung Heroes a few years ago!

Dorothy has served on the RSVP Board, the Bethany Manor Board, the Mission Board for Grace Methodist Church, secretary for the Story City Kiwanis and is a Story City Senior Center volunteer.  In her spare time, she likes to visit shut-ins, as well as read, embroider, and play bridge.

The Appelgates enjoy their 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren and the opportunity to travel extensively to see them. 

Thank you, Appelgates, for all you have done to make this world a better place.  How fortunate to have you shining in our community as volunteers extraordinaire!