Heart BEAT

Davison: Waitsburg's 'Silent Volunteer'

Retired School Teacher Jim Davison Steps Up To Lend A Hand Without Needing To Be Asked

WAITSBURG - When community members in Waitsburg need help with a project, they typically know who to call. However, some volunteers in town simply show up offering to help.

Jim Davison is one of those helpers.

"He's a really great, si- lent volunteer," said Denise Winnett, who worked with Davison at Waitsburg High School.

Winnett, who lives within viewing distance of the ongo- ing construction of the new press box at the Waitsburg High School football field, said she sees Davison out there working on the project early in the morning when it's still cool. He goes home just in time to make his wife dinner, she added.

School Board Chairman Ross Hamann, who has been heading up the projects at the football field this summer, said Davison isn't even part of the groups sponsoring the project. He simply came out because he wanted to lend a hand.

"He just came out (to help) on his own," Hamann said. "He's very active in the community."

Davison is a retired teach- er from the Waitsburg School District who now works as a substitute bus driver. He also worked as a reserve deputy.

Hamann said Davison taught his business classes and driver's education while he was in high school.

"Whenever we see him in town we automatically sit up in our seats and check our mirrors and blinkers," Hamann said.

Davison first came out and started working on the press box project in early June, he said. Hamann said Davison had heard the Lions and Boosters needed help and decided to show up ready to work. Now, Davison is out there almost daily, he said, unless Davison has family obligations.

Davison's commitment to the project has been impressive. Hamann estimates the volunteer has spent about 100 to 150 hours out at the field working on the press box. Davison is an all-around great construction worker, with great knowledge, who has been helpful, he said.

Mostly, Hamann is im- pressed with Davison's "lack of fear of heights."

Colter Mohney, the school district's facilities, trans- portation and maintenance supervisor, said Davison doesn't have a specialty in construction, but that he's a great helping hand on the project. This is the first project Mohney has worked on with Davison and he's impressed with his spirit of volunteerism.

"He's big into civil ser- vice," Mohney said.

Hamann said along with Davison, Andy Winnett, Denise's husband, have put in "massive hours and atten- tion."

Denise Winnett said she has known Davison since he worked for the school district and he has always been a per- son with a positive outlook who has helped wherever he is needed.

"You name it at the school and he volunteered," Denise Winnett said. "If he believes in something, he believes in it strongly."

She said Davison likes to sit back and absorb, and is not quick to make an opinion. He's always ready to laugh, she said.

Hamann said that has been the best part about Davison's volunteerism.

"He's always cutting jokes and he's fun to work with," he said.

The press box is getting close to completion, Hamann said. All that's left is to put up the insulation and sheet rock and bring in the power. The project should be completed by the first football game, thanks to volunteers like Davison.