For George Feeman of Lake Orion, seeing a child’s life change through education is reward enough for his volunteering services.
That’s why he was surprised, and very modest, about being selected as this year’s Senior Citizen of the Year for service by the Michigan Commission and Office of Services to the Aging (OSA), Michigan State Fair and Consumer’s Energy. Another award was given for Leadership.
Feeman, who has volunteered as a tutor/mentor at the Pontiac Arts and Technology Academy for three years, was nominated for the award through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Oakland County.
‘We place people 55 or older in community volunteering opportunities,? said program director Herschell Masten. ‘We match their skills and interests with the needs in the community.?
Feeman, a former math professor and former chairman of the math department at Oakland University, helps students in grades 3-7 at the academy with math and reading.
‘I’ve been volunteering in the schools for about 40 years, since my children were in school,? he said. ‘I was at Carpenter and Blanche Sims and other Lake Orion schools.?
Feeman works with students as a tutor and also mentors the teachers.
‘I work with the teachers to improve their skills,? he said. ‘Older teachers frequently don’t want to change…the school I’m in now has younger teachers, and they have been very willing to learn.?
Feeman has been a teacher in both private and public post-secondary school settings, as well as spending five years as academic dean at the Egyptian Air Force Academy in Belbeis, Egypt.
In addition, Feeman has worked in East Africa, Nepal, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and has traveled extensively.
‘I’m from eastern Pennsylvania, originally,? he said. ‘I’ve lived in Lake Orion for 22 years now. All my children and family live in Pennsylvania.?
Feeman has four children and six grandchildren, in addition to four step-grandchildren and two step-children with his wife Ruby Rhodes, a Lake Orion native. The couple attend St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Lake Orion.
‘The reason we chose George (for nomination for the Senior Citizen of the Year award), is at the end of the school year, we send out an evaluation form to the teachers (he’s worked with),? said Masten.
‘We had rave reviews from all the teachers he worked with, and not only did they all turn in the form, we had many calls praising him and his techniques,? Masten continued. ‘We look forward to him tutoring again this year.?
Feeman said volunteering is more of a way of life for him than something he does for recognition.
‘I didn’t know anything about it, really,? he said of the award, which was presented to him on Senior Day at the Michigan State Fair on Aug. 16.
‘I don’t do volunteering to get rewards, I just do it,? he said. ‘I asked why they picked me…there are 600 volunteers just in this immediate program.?
Feeman and his wife also spend every Tuesday working with the Crossroads of Michigan in Detroit, which he said is similar to Lighthouse in Oakland County.
‘They serve the homeless and the needy,? he said. ‘We do counseling there…We’ve been doing that for five years.?
Feeman encourages anyone with extra time to get involved in a volunteering program.
‘It’s easier working through an agency (like RSVP),? he said. ‘When I worked at Carpenter, Chris Lehman was principal.
‘We made tremendous strides in those three years. The needs in Pontiac are far greater.?
‘I guess the main thing I get from this is watching some of the kids overcome their obstacles and do well,? Feeman said. ‘And watching the teachers grow and mature in the classroom….It’s not easy teaching in some of the schools.
‘I guess those are the rewards,? he said. ‘I don’t think about it all that much. I’m not big on awards or publicity.?
Feeman was excited about throwing out the first pitch at the Detroit Tigers game on Labor Day.
‘It’s Senior Day at Tiger Stadium, and they called and asked me to throw out the first pitch,? he said.
‘I’ve always liked baseball. It will be fun to get out on the field and represent the seniors.?