Monday, November 23, 1998

Gold Deed winners shine outside the limelight

Joe and Hester Washington are not among the most high-profile Abilene residents. That's because they don't try to be. In fact, they've tried hard not to be. But they've been found out.

The Washingtons were honored Thursday night by Abilene's two Exchange Clubs with the 1998 Golden Deeds Award at the annual Golden Deeds Banquet. This award was established in 1964 for the express purpose of calling attention to those whose self-sacrifice and service to others have gone unnoticed by the public, and the Washingtons are truly deserving recipients. Anyone who knows either one of them knows their kindness, their generosity, their continual focus on other people rather than on themselves.

A former longtime director at KRBC-TV who has suffered his own bouts of bad health, Joe chauffeurs cancer patients to doctor's appointments, drives all over town for the elderly and shut-ins to shop for groceries and pay bills, provides a taxi home for children from Mann and Ortiz schools. He raises and lowers flags for residences and businesses that subscribe to this service for his Elmwood West Lions Club and, with the fees, helps needy schoolchildren buy glasses and sends others to a Lions Camp for children with disabilities.

A much-requested vocalist, Hester sings at churches around the Big Country on Sundays and works at the local Social Security office during the week. Together, the Washingtons came up with an idea a few years ago for an annual widows' banquet, following the Bible's admonition for Christians to take care of widows. Last August's occasion was attended by 160 women. Not being people of great wealth, the Washingtons have borrowed to help finance the event. In his typically self-effacing manner, Joe hasn't attended the banquet, avoiding what he considers improper recognition.

Given the Washingtons' character and style, they're likely embarrassed by all the attention they have received. They shouldn't be. Let your light shine, the Bible says. And these two fine Abilenians now shine as golden examples for the rest of us to follow.