|
Richard Ledford and his Palmetto High School technical
education students often are asked to build things for community
organizations that the groups otherwise could not afford.
Richard Ledford, Palmetto High technical education teacher, at the
school's shop
They don't expect anything in return and most of the
time they receive nothing more than a handshake and heartfelt thanks,
which Ledford says is more than enough.
"A lot of times we'll do things for other
schools," he said. "For example, if you need different
shapes cut out for a pre-school, we'll do that. We'll also make
nameplates for teachers. The kids enjoy doing it and given the
opportunity we do what we can."
When Dr. Suzanne Austin called asking for help, they
gave their gift selflessly, never expecting or asking for accolades.
Austin's brother was a cancer patient, suffering from colon cancer and
a brain tumor, dramatically impairing his motor skills and
necessitating that he use a wheelchair.
"He came from the Virgin Islands for treatment
and was living at Country Walk," she said, "and it was very
difficult for him to get around. In particular, getting into the
housing over the parking block was quite a challenge. So, I called
Clement Hill, the business manager at Palmetto High, and asked if they
could help."
"Clement came to me and said there was this
gentleman with a brain tumor who had no access to his home and that
the county wouldn't help him," said Ledford. "So I said we'd
do it."
Ledford and the students from his Production-Three
class -- Kevin Suarez, Joe Bowman, Josh Ruehle, Josh Salpeter and
Jason Press -- gave their time, effort and expertise to the project.
"They gave us the dimensions and we had the
plywood," he said. "We went ahead and built the ramp right
there and then. She (Austin) said it made his life easier and that was
enough for me."
"It is almost a year to the day since we brought
him home from Baptist Hospital for the first time," said Austin,
"and he recently passed away, on June 3. They expected him to
live only about six months, but he lasted for 11 and much of that is
due to the help we received at Baptist.
"But, what Mr. Ledford and his kids did, who
didn't know me from anybody, was unbelievable. We spend a lot of time
writing about bad things, but things like this and wonderful people
like them just don't get the attention they deserve."
Ledford said that without help from the community, a
lot of what he and his classes do wouldn't be possible.
"Sometimes we get donations, which is
great," he said. "Someone has some wood they don't need and
they'll say we have this and do we need it. We get such tremendous
support from the community. I really love it here."
Ledford is a South Florida native. After leaving for
the service -- he's been active or in the reserves for 21 years he
then departed to go to college at Eastern Kentucky and start his
teaching career in Illinois. He moved back to Cutler Ridge with his
wife and three children, Nick, Brittany, and Barbara.
Ledford says the school and PTA are responsible for
much of the success and popularity of his classes.
"Karen Razook, head of the PTA, has been really
great to us and (principal Janet Hupp) has been a big promoter and
supporter as well," he said. "She's a great principal. She
does a terrific job. In fact, both groups, the school and the PTA,
bought us new equipment that we really needed."
Ledford, who also serves as the junior varsity coach for the Panthers
softball team, says the civic and charitable projects his students
complete give the youngsters as much satisfaction as the recipients of
the work.
|
