The public and private efforts of Lincoln County humanitarian Greg Latimer were recognized when he was lauded with the Fourth Annual Volunteer of the Year Award on Jan. 16.
Latimer joins previous honorees Robert Clifford, Walter Shorey, and Larry Townley as the only recipients of the honor that is jointly bestowed by the Damariscotta Newcastle Rotary and Lions Cub.
Latimer was taken by surprise by the honor having been told by friends that he was merely joining them for dinner.
“I have been quite ambushed,” Latimer said. “Until yesterday I thought I was having Chinese with Paul and Kathy Anderson.”
Latimer received his award following a dinner served at The 1812 Farm in Bristol Mills.
Guest Speaker Don Carrigan bestowed the honor during a brief speech that ticked off Latimer’s many accomplishments, which include serving as the Human Services Secretary for the Salvation Army in the Damariscotta-Newcastle-Bristol area, working closely with the local Community Energy Fund (CEF), assisting with the development of the Family Holiday Wishes program, organizing and implementing the heralded Pirate Rendezvous in June and coordinating the Pemaquid Oyster festival in Damariscotta since 2001.
With the skill of the veteran stage actor he is, Carrigan built up to announcing of the winner, which he cheerfully narrowed down to a ‘he’ in the early moments of his speech, “Which automatically eliminates half the room,” he said.
Carrigan talked about the people, who needed help and received it at all hours of the day or night, at all times of the year, whether it was food, shelter, or heat.
“Their lives are immeasurably better because they met… Greg Latimer,” said Carrigan, achieving the desired dramatic affect. The announcement drew a standing ovation.
“He has been a guy who has been able to get things done that needed to be done,” Carrigan said.
Carrigan detailed Latimer’s well-worn van, which is filled with tools and equipment ranging from animal rescue tools, extra rain jackets, which he has in the past donated to emergency volunteers at an accident scene, and stuffed animals for traumatized children.
Following Carrigan’s introduction, Robert Clifford delivered the award, congratulating Latimer upon its receipt. Clifford himself was late arriving to the dinner because he had spent the day thawing out someone’s frozen pipes.
“I apologize for the tardiness but I don’t apologize for helping someone,” he said.
Speaking off the cuff, Latimer deflected credit onto the people who contributed to his various efforts such as the Holiday Kettle Drive that raises funds for the local Salvation Army chapter, the only chapter in the three state service area that does its own fundraising.
“Really it’s all of you,” Latimer said. “You are all of my enablers. You ring the bell. You put your the money in the kettles.”
In his opening remarks, Rotary Club president Phil Congdon said the current dinner grew out of the Rotary and Lions Clubs joint Golf Tournament and Auction fundraiser, which was formally followed by the awarding of the Volunteer of the Year Award at Wawenock Golf Club.
“This year we decided to separate these events to focus more attention on each event,” Congdon said. “This year our two clubs netted over $20,000 from the golf tournament and auction events…down only a bit from last year in spite of the economy”
Congdon said the Volunteer of the Year was selected based on nominations from the community at large. A committee of club members subsequently reviewed the nominations and selected the honoree.
“The process was difficult because several very worthy volunteers were nominated,” Congdon said.