Tumors changed man’s life

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – Don Hill says he’s lucky to be alive.

And while he’s on this Earth, he wants to make it a better place for people in need.

The 70-year-old Mount Vernon resident doesn’t think of himself as a hero when he brings a box of food to a man living in his car or a wheelchair to a dying cancer patient. He believes it’s his obligation.

“It’s just being decent to a fellow human being,” he said.

Hill was among 44 people statewide recognized April 23 by Gov. Chris Gregoire for volunteer service. Hill was given the Governor’s Award of Excellence.

He volunteers for the Tri Parish Food Bank, provides Catholic Communion for hospital patients and people in their homes, is an emergency responder for the Radio Amateurs of Skagit County, and is active in the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program for Volunteers of America. He also is a part-time bus driver for Mount Vernon Christian School.

Hill received his award just two days after suffering a transient ischemic attack, known as a ministroke, while he was visiting the Tulip Festival Street Fair in Mount Vernon.

“I didn’t get my curly fries,” joked his wife, Dorothy Hill.

The turning point in Don Hill’s life happened in 2004 when he learned he had two golf ball-size brain tumors. After surgery, he had to learn how to walk and talk again.

It was a “very humbling” experience, he said. He used to be a Whatcom Transit Authority bus driver for people with disabilities. Suddenly he needed that bus.

“Instead of looking in the mirror and seeing who was there, I was one of them,” he said.

Hill and his wife have long given back to their community. When they lived in Burlington and their children were in school, the Hills would feed their kids’ classmates who had nothing to eat at home.

But after his brain surgery, Don Hill felt a greater need to serve others.

“I’m going to see if I can do better,” he said.

Lisa Gray, director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program at Volunteers of America, remembers meeting Hill for the first time on her third day on the job.

“This cheerful man with a big truck rolled up and he introduced himself,” Gray said. “He said, ‘I wanna help. What can I do?’ ”

Together, Hill and Gray developed the Mobility Project. As part of that program, Hill makes presentations to middle school students about his recovery and shows them equipment such as wheelchairs, canes and walkers. Though the program is still developing, the idea is to get students to help repair mobility equipment for donation to senior lending closets.

Hill also scans the newspapers for people who need firewood, food or equipment. He helps whoever he can without asking for a name or personal information.

Hill credits his wife of nearly 24 years for supporting him through his ailments and surgeries, giving him transportation when he needs it and helping him recover.

“Be nice to wives” is his advice.

Because of his recent stroke, Hill can’t drive or write for the time being. He’s taking a break from his work as he recovers.

But there’s no sign of quitting.

“It never hurts to bend and help somebody out,” Hill said. “It’s very gratifying to help somebody out.”