Good Call

Recently the Nevada Rotary Club made a good choice when they named Greg Hoffman as the Citizen of the Year. No one is more deserving than he is for this special honor.

It has been my pleasure to have known Greg for a number of years, since he began his business in Nevada and to observe a number of contributions he has made to the community. Consideration had been given to devote a column in tribute to Greg and his service to others. I had learned that he does not seek recognition and has expressed that he has had enough and did not need any more.

When it was announced that the Rotary Club was seeking applications for the award, thoughts were that Greg should be the one nominated. I had no way of knowing if he had been nominated. Still, when it was announced that the citizen of the year was going to be recognized, again thought were that it should be Greg. It was exciting to hear that he was going to be receiving the award at that time during the Rotary luncheon.

There are a number of achievements and any one of them would qualify him for the special honor. Greg does much for the community, giving of himself back to society. Many people receive the benefits of the community, but do not give anything or much back. Greg is different; he gives much in the way of support and service.

He is a long time active member of the Nevada Lions Club. He is dedicated to helping others to see. Greg has served two different years as president, which is unusual. He has received the Lion of the Year award. He has served on a large number of committees and work projects. This year as well as for the past year or two he has taken the leadership on the pancake days. When he does something for the club, it is well done.

For a number of years he has served on the hospital foundation. This group has been highly successful in their efforts to raise funds and for the contributions they have made toward health. He has been an important part of this group and has provided needed leadership.

Perhaps he is best known for his leadership within the Salvation Army. In the past he served as president. For several years he has coordinated the Salvation Army bell ringing program. The bell ringing is an important fund-raising program for the Army. The money is used in this area for the benefit of a number of people. One year while I was ringing bells, a lady putting in some money said that they helped her in her life and she wanted to contribute something. The help was provided at a time in life when it was greatly needed.

There are a large number of time slots to be filled during the season to ring the bells, thus taking several people. It is a tremendous task to recruit volunteers to ring the bells and to schedule them. It also involves having the kettles at the locations on schedule and to pick up the money from the kettles and the kettles at the end of the schedule for the day. There is much more being done in the background by Greg than what most of us ever realize.

Greg believes in being physically fit and puts a great amount of effort in his physical program. He runs and exercises early each morning. He remains physically fit. This is demonstrated by races he participation in and by riding a bicycle. For a number of years he has ridden in the MS 150 bicycle ride. This program benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He not only rides in the ride, but he seeks donations to support him which goes to the important program. Each year we look forward to him passing the sheet around to support the cause.

Greg has been successful in his business, which has grown over the years from the time when he first went into business for himself He has recently bought the Carnegie building where the library was located for years, located at the busiest intersection in town, Ash and Austin.

For a number of years there has been concern about what is going to happen to this historical landmark building. There were thoughts that it might be demolished. This is something that many did not want. It is a building of history and it became important to preserve it as a part of our heritage. Even a few months ago, there was speculation that the building would b e demolished and replaced.

Greg stepped in to purchase the building and will be moving LPL Financial Services to the building in a few weeks. This is a major service to the community to see this building preserved.

One of the thoughts was that the building might not be used because it was not handicapped accessible.

The only thing I could imagine would be some kind of an elevator being added to the back of the building on the outside, which would be the size of the elevator and might not look good.

The renovation includes an entrance in the back of the building which will include an elevator, making the location accessible. This will become the entrance to the office. The basement is being fixed up for rental office spaces.

In recent weeks, the new construction of the new entrance has been observed and it will be attractive when completed. Singre and Associates, an architectural firm from Ft. Scott was hired. Erwin Construction is the contractor for the renovation. It will be well done when completed which is an asset to the community.

Congratulations goes to Greg for being recognized as the Citizen of the Year, a well deserved recognition for this community leader. The Rotarians made a good call.