Spirit of America 2013 nominee: Doug Austin

Nominated by Cape Girardeau SALT (Seniors and Lawmen Together) Council

Doug Austin

The cornerstone of the Spirit of America is "volunteer." Throughout history you will find volunteers who truly made the difference. This is the guiding principal for Doug Austin. Make a difference. Make a positive contribution. Bethany Baptist Church, Seniors And Lawmen Together (SALT), Cape Beautification, Silver Haired Legislature, Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and Alma Schrader Elementary School are a small portion of volunteer projects of Doug Austin.

Doug has worked all of his life, many years providing for his family and many years providing for others. When he retired from the job he did providing for his family, he didn't really retire -- he just changed jobs. Since his retirement he has generously served his church, friends and community.

When Doug is asked to do a job, he readily agrees. It's one thing to volunteer to do things for others, but to do them with a joyful heart is the best. Doug always does his work in that manner. Not only that, he brings smiles and laughter to those around him as he works.

I believe this recent quote from Doug sums up why he is the perfect choice for the Spirit of America award. "I feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. My wife and I have been blessed beyond belief. I want to share my blessings. There is enough bad news in the world without me participating. I do things for the community because I enjoy it, not out of a sense of duty or obligation."

Community involvement

* Serves Bethany Baptist Church as: trustee, deacon, publicity director, drama team, Baptist Men's director, secretary for J.O.Y. group.

* Served Shining Light Baptist Outreach Center, Inc. as: executive board member and recording secretary.

* Serves Cape Girardeau Baptist Association as: stewardship director, executive board member, credentials committee.

* Serves/served Missouri Baptist Convention as: Christian Life Commission, nominating committee, executive board member, search committee for executive director, committee on committees, credentials committee 2012, credentials committee chair 2013.

* Southeast Missouri Disaster Relief Feeding Unit

* Served Southern Baptist Convention as: trustee; ethics and religious liberty committee; research and development committee chair, ERLC; member executive council, ERLC: nominating committee, SBC; tellers committee, SBC;

* Served Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging as: board member representing Cape Girardeau County, AAA board liaison to/for advisory council, AAA treasurer, audit committee, planning committee, member of legal services stakeholder advisory group.

* Serves Cape Girardeau County S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Lawmen Together) as: advisory council member, secretary,

* Served S.C.O.R.E. (Service Corps of Retired Executive) as: adviser, providing free confidential business advice.

* Serves Southeast Missouri Hospital as: auxiliary board member.

* Served/serves Cape Girardeau as: secretary, Girardeau Goes Green Advisory Council; vice-chair, Cape Girardeau 2010 Census Committee; chair, Cape Girardeau Community Relations Advisory Council, Vision 2020; member, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce; graduate of Cape Girardeau Citizen's Police Academy; chair, I Love Cape Committee; member, 4 for Cape Committee; member of Keep Cape Beautiful Committee; member, Old Town Cape; chair, Quality of Life in Cape Girardeau; chair, Keep Cape Beautiful; Tourist Ambassador.

* Served Cape Girardeau's Gideon International as; vice-chair and chair.

* Served SEMO Son Riders Christian Motorcyclist Chapter as: vice president, president.

* Serves Silver Haired Legislature as a representative in Bootheel region of Missouri to promote legislative advocacy for Missouri's older adults.

* Serves on Republican Central Committee Cape Girardeau County: fundraising committee; precinct No. 7 captain.

* Serves Alma Schrader Elementary School as volunteer tutor, Read to Succeed Program

* Serves Hoxie School System as alumni president

* Member of: Toastmasters International, Friends of the Library, Missouri Baptist Bikers Fellowship, Patriot Guard Riders

* Recipient of: Spirit of America Award (nominee 2010), TBY Friends of Cape (2012), Lt. Governor's Senior Service Award (2013)

* Lifetime Member: State of Indiana -- Council of the Sagamores of the Wabash, Commonwealth of Kentucky -- Kentucky Colonel, American Motorcyclist Association.