Senior Volunteers Recognized Heart Of Gold Award Given For Contributions To Community

Hugh Neuman has tried to get the word out.

“Stay involved. It really keeps you going,” he said Friday, his broad smile a magnet for the senior citizens gathered at Aging and Adult Services. “I see people who don’t know what to do with themselves and it’s sad.”

None of the seniors invited to the Heart of Gold award presentation Friday suffer from too little to do. Each had been nominated for the new award that recognizes the contribution of the older generation to North Idaho.

The 30 super-seniors - the oldest nominee was 91 - do everything from blowing snow from their neighbors’ yards to stumping for senior housing, from tutoring elementary kids to coordinating volunteers to deliver meals to homebound people.

In fact, volunteer jobs kept half of the nominees from attending the ceremony. But Neuman, 69, was there and grinned like a kid who’d hit a home run when he was chosen as this year’s Heart of Gold winner.

“Whenever you go to a school function, you can usually find Hugh,” Ginni Lenz wrote in her nomination letter. “He always has a smile and twinkle in his eye, which reminds me of Santa Claus.”

Even before Neuman retired in 1986 after 36 years of teaching and administrative work in the Coeur d’Alene School District, he found time to volunteer. He coached girls softball.

Retirement gave him time to devote to activities he loves. He still coaches several teams, officiates at every Coeur d’Alene High and Lake City High volleyball game, ushers at church, drives meals to homebound people and drives for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

He’s the president of the state Retired Teachers Association, a high school and college booster and community leader in youth softball.

“It keeps me acquainted with a lot of young people,” he said, a bit embarrassed by all of the fuss over his schedule.

Neuman received a framed picture of a human heart outlined in 14-carat gold.

“We’ve kept busy in retirement,” his wife, Betty, said, flashing a fond smile in Neuman’s direction. “It’s been very, very nice working together.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: The following 29 senior citizens were nominated for North Idaho’s Heart of Gold Award:

Kootenai County Doris Beale Phyllis Campbell James Kiger Virginia McCarley Millie Rambo Betty Dougall Dalton Garrett Brenda Henkers Bob Pekar Elizabeth Hasbrouck Bev Schorzman Ed Schorzman

Bonner County Lenora Gandee Ruth Neely Lilian Mary Scott

Shoshone County Jim Bury Enid Kerner Donna Mullen Howardine Smelcer

Benewah County Celista Epler Alta Grubham Ed Mellen Spud Mellen Itha Moran Elva Sturman Lea Yergler Ed Porret

Boundary County Marjorie Linnemeyer Evalie Sturman