Volunteering as a way of life

Always on call

GLASGOW

Chad Thompson is the man you want to see if something is amiss in Cub Run. 

Each weekday—and often on nights or weekends— Chad is one of people hanging off a pole restoring electricity, even in inclement weather. For the past six years, he has been a service technician with Farmers RECC.

He also has been a firefighter for the Cub Run Volunteer Fire Department for nine years, helping others when they are in harm’s way. In addition, he is a song leader for Center Point Baptist Church in Munfordville, celebrating the good times.

“I love to help people,” Chad says, “and when you live in a small community like Cub Run, you are needed. My volunteer work is hard sometimes, but I like the challenge.”

Opening doors

CORBIN

“My wife says I have more nonpaying jobs than anyone in America,” says Rich Prewitt, director of education, marketing and member services for Cumberland Valley Electric.

Rich volunteers with the Kentucky Special Olympics and Ronald McDonald House in Lexington, and serves on the boards of economic development agencies in Whitley and Harlan counties. He has chaired the Whitley County Tourism Board and Williamsburg-Whitley County Airport Board, and as a former administrator in the Whitley County and Corbin Independent school districts, he served as president of the Kentucky Middle School Association. 

And then there are the sports-related activities: he is an Upward Sports basketball coach at local churches, and a longtime hunter educator in Whitley County. For the past 36 years, Rich has worked annually at the Boston Celtics Camp, with such luminaries as Dave Cowens and Joe Amorosino.

“I always felt that life was short, and I wanted to experience as much as possible,” Rich says. “I wanted to open doors for my children and grandchildren. Helping other people is also a nice way to go through life. If someone asks me, I try to help.”