Selfless honor

Staff report
The Independent

CATLETTSBURG May 01, 2008 09:56 pm

— Jim and Helen Fout of Ashland, longtime volunteers for River Cities Harvest, have been recognized for their longtime commitment to serving the hungry of the Ashland area.
Jim Fout received the President’s Call to Service Award and the couple were awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award. According to a letter from President George W. Bush that accompanied the awards, the Fouts “demonstrate the outstanding character of America and help strengthen our country.”
The awards were presented Thursday morning at a River Cities Harvest volunteer appreciation breakfast in Catlettsburg. More than 20 other volunteers were also recognized for their contributions to the food recovery agency. National Volunteer Appreciation Week end Saturday.
Jim Fout was one of the founding members of RCH in 1991 and has worked tirelessly since then to coordinate the pickup and delivery of millions of pounds of food from local grocery stores and restaurants to the local agencies that feed the hungry. Throughout the years, Helen has been at his side, answering the phone, tallying numbers and assisting with the daily pickups.
The President’s awards recognize those who dedicate at least two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lives to serve others. The Fouts have dedicated at least 10 times that amount to River Cities Harvest.
“River Cities Harvest would not be what it is without Jim and Helen Fout. They are an invaluable and integral part of what we do,” Amanda Gilmore, operations coordinator, said.
For more information about becoming a RCH volunteer, call (606) 324-FOOD or e-mail rch4food@windstream.net.