Public Relations & Volunteer Spotlight March 2005

Don Mathews Handyman Volunteer It’s Round Two for Don Mathews and Heartland is very glad to have him back.  Don joined Heartland’s volunteer forces in the late 90’s as a handyman.  For about 4 years he worked with Al Burkheimer and later Bernie Beaudry to handle many necessary repair jobs around the Center.  After a hiatus he is back, most recently as the “varnisher/painter” of the new office/activity rooms at Heartland.  Don has put in over 20 hours on this project in about a week’s time so that the office moves could happen more quickly and efficiently.  His dedication to task and his excellent work were very much appreciated. Don is a native Iowan who was born in Cedar Falls and graduated from Ida Grove High School.  He received his Bachelor’s in History and Government from Iowa State University and his Master’s from University of Northern Iowa.   Don then spent the next 30 years teaching high school history/government, his last assignment was with the Perry High School.  Four years after his retirement in 1988, Don and his wife Joan decided to move back to Ames, where they had met as ISU students in the 50’s.  For Don, retirement was just a springboard to some very interesting volunteer opportunities.  He has volunteered with Global Volunteers in China where he helped with conversational English; for Elder Hostel Service Projects in Hawaii; and with Habitat for Humanity in Mississippi.  In Ames besides his work at Heartland he has been a volunteer host for the Library Coffee Shop and with “Plant a Row for the Hungry” with Reiman Gardens. Don’s hobbies are world traveling, reading, refinishing furniture, vegetable gardening, dancing, and pen pal correspondence.  He currently has 15 pen pals from around the world.   Don and Joan have two children and six grandchildren, who live in the Midwest. Thank you Don, for continuing to share your talents, not only in our community but in our world.  You keep us aware that there is still so much to learn and do after retirement.  We at Heartland are glad to be the recipients of your willing volunteer efforts and expertise.       Previous Volunteer Spotlight Honorees