First Posted: 3/20/2015
LIMA — Steve Montgomery got his first taste of volunteering when he was in the Marine Corps. during the Vietnam War when he chose to join a helicopter crew as a door gunner during missions, all in addition to his regular duties.
Today, Montgomery no longer risks his life to help his fellow soldiers but make no mistake he hasn’t given up and never will give up finding ways to help them even nearly 50 years later.
“That’s basically what my life is dedicated to until the day I die or I can’t do it anymore,” the 68-year-old Montgomery said.
When he’s not helping veterans such as by filling out forms to receive benefits, Montgomery can be found helping others. He is the reason every fourth-grader in Allen County received historical coloring books. He secured the money and delivered to nearly 1,600 students, he said.
“I took them to every school building in Allen County last year,” he said.
He also talked to the children about history and patriotism.
“It really gives some history that I feel the curriculum isn’t effective in generating history for the kids to learn about what this country went through to get to where we’re at,” he said.
Montgomery also is a founding member of the West Ohio Food Bank and a former board member. He also helped found what is now the Elida Breakfast Club, which gives college scholarships to Elida students.
Dave Smith, a retired guidance counselor for Elida schools, said he knows Montgomery well through the Elida Breakfast Club. He said he cannot think of a more deserving person for a Jefferson Award. Montgomery also is quick to help at the schools such as working sporting events on top of all the other volunteer work he does, Smith said.
“He’s very busy all the time,” Smith said. “He’s the kind of guy if you need something done, Steve will help.”
Rosemary Benedum nominated Montgomery for the award for his help with veterans. She met him through the local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America.
“What drove me to nominate him was the coloring books he passed out,” she said. “It’s a history book in coloring for fourth-graders.”
But there’s many more causes Montgomery always is willing to help with that Benedum said has continued to impress her.
“I’ve just been impressed all around with the things he has quietly done for this community,” she said.
Montgomery’s reason for volunteering is simple.
“I have been given so much good from this country. I’m trying to give back. The problem is I can’t give back as much as I was given,” he said.
Besides his own service to the country, his father was a World War II veteran so he will always have a special spot in his heart for veterans. He’s involved in many leadership roles associated with veteran groups, he said.
“About 80 to 90 percent of what I do is helping veterans in any way I can,” he said.
The Jefferson Awards for Public Service recognize eight local winners for their volunteerism in the community. Each winner gets $350 for their organization. The awards are sponsored by Husky Lima Refinery, The Lima News, Your Hometown Stations and the United Way of Greater Lima. One local winner will be selected March 31 to attend the national awards ceremony in Washington.
