VOLUNTEER LEADS BY EXAMPLE

When Euil Trickey retired, he wondered what worthy cause he might serve with the extra time on his hands. Trickey found the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau and the Veterans Home hasn't been the same since.

Trickey works with the Masonic Service Association. His job: recruit volunteers for the veterans home. He has recruited a volunteer group of about 50 Masons from throughout Southeast Missouri. The group is responsible for delivering ice and water to the residents' rooms seven days a week. In addition, they help with delivering mail, operating the canteen and taking residents on outings.

Trickey thinks the best way to recruit volunteers is to believe in the program. He is the veterans home's top volunteer, serving over 3,500 hours in the five years since the home opened.

"He started even before the first veteran moved in," said Ken Lipps, a spokesman for the veterans home. "He certainly leads by example."

Trickey is low-key and unassuming in his service, never expecting recognition for his work and always pitching in to get the job done.

Since he has spent so many hours working at the veterans home, Trickey has developed a relationship with many of the residents. They know that "ET," as he calls himself, will be back to share a witticism or poke a little fun.

"It's not uncommon to hear laughter down the hall. I'll go out and see it's Euil Trickey talking to one of the veterans," Lipps said.

Trickey, a World War II veteran himself, said, "We kind of feel like we're part of the team out there with the residents as well as the staff. It's our turn to help them since they helped us back in the war."