Community Education Hero

Wilma Kenny | Jun 17, 2010

Last Thursday, Doug Gerow came to work as usual at SHS’s Community Education Centre. He’s been volunteering there three hours every weekday for the past 15 years, ever since he retired from his job at the Ministry of Transport.

Doug Gerow is the kind of volunteer who steps in to help wherever he sees something’s needed. He doesn’t talk about what he’s done, and doesn’t expect praise for his work. That’s why last Thursday’s events took him so by surprise.

He walked into a celebration recognizing him not only for his many years of service, but also for the ten new computers he has donated to the Centre. The computer lab, furnished completely by Doug, has been named in his honour. Director David Herrington said Doug is “Loyal, constant, compassionate and dedicated,” adding: “He makes great popcorn, too!”

When I asked Doug how he came to set up a whole computer lab by himself, he told me it all started before he retired, when he came to the adult education part of the program for computer upgrading.

“The few computers they had were in bad shape! So after I retired, I just kept watching the ads, and looking for deals: one store in particular had good prices,” he said.

And he sums up his entire experience at the Computer Education Centre by saying “It’s been a great life to be here!”

Perhaps most important of all, Doug Gerow has closed the gap that often exists between young people and seniors: as one student commented; “He’s great to talk cars with – his first car was a ’38 Dodge – my dream car!”

The new plaque outside the computer lab has a picture of Doug, above a quote from Ghandi: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”