Volunteer of the Week

GARY DILLON

Gary Dillon has always done volunteer work in one way or another without even thinking about it. The quiet, self-effacing grandfather used to coach his kids soccer games, and participated in his share of Indian Princesses and Boy Scout events. But his heart has always been with environmental issues. He has worked as a volunteer at the Quicksilver Museum in New Almaden and also helped to build trailheads for the Quicksilver Park. In addition, through the Sierra Club he has led white water rafting and sailing trips.

His life of leisurely pursuing volunteer efforts that interested him changed considerably when his beloved wife Doris became ill a few years ago with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease after the famous baseball player. Doris, a popular teacher at Graystone Elementary School, and a nationally renowned educator, taught almost up to the time of her death two years ago. Her illness and her subsequent death took a serious toll on Gary and his two children, Deanne and Grant. But, her passing also greatly affected her large circle of friends and the whole Almaden Community. People wanted to do something, so without Gary's request, many of Doris' friends and colleagues, as well as former students and their families donated to money to the ALS Association.

“Doris was a very trusted friend and confidant for a lot of women,” said Gary. “And when she was going through the illness people saw how much the ALS Association helped us. They did things like providing a speaking device for her that allowed her to stay in the classroom. Everyone at the ALS Association was just wonderful to us. So Doris' friend Patti Gahagan organized a team for Doris in last year's Walk to D' Feet ALS.”

Gary wasn't quite up to walking in the event last year but he did drop by with buttons with Doris' name on them. He was amazed at the outpouring of support he received at the event and was spurred to action to help with the team this year.

“I've never felt comfortable asking for money from friends,” said Gary. “But I realized that this (raising money for the ALS walk) was so important to me and my family because it supports this organization that had helped us so much and helps other families who are suffering from this terrible disease. So, I took out my Christmas address list and I sent everyone a letter soliciting donations for Doris' team. The response was overwhelming. People have so much good in them.”

Gary and “Doris' Sunshine Club” will be walking in this Sunday's Walk to d'feet ALS at Vasona Lake Park in Los Gatos. Everyone on the team will be wearing a beautiful orange hat with a drawing of a sunflower on it, which was Doris' favorite flower.

Registration for the Oct. 19 Walk to D'Feet ALS starts at 10 a.m. and the one to three mile walk follows at 11 a.m. If you would like to join Doris' Sunshine Club simply log on to www.alsabayarea.org If you can't make it you can donate at the same website. Just click on the Walk to D'Feet ALS logo and select the South Bay Walk. Type in Doris' Sunshine Club and make your donation. You can also send checks to the ALS Association/Bay Area Chapter at 140 Geary Street, 4 th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94108. If you have any questions about the organization or the event call (800) 209-0433.