Morton still helping after all these years

Don Morton started as an ice cream dipper. Twenty years later, he is still a volunteer for the auxiliary of Bothwell Regional Health Center. Now he counts money for the hospital gift shop one day a week as well as gets the ice cream for the annual ice cream social.

“At the end of the year, it ends up that we give $50,000 to the hospital,” he said.

Morton has been involved in many volunteer projects over the years, from independent efforts to help people to volunteering for his church to help start Meals on Wheels in Sedalia.

“I used to do a lot more, but the last few years, I’ve been limited,” said the 73-year-old former librarian.

Most of his volunteer work is at East Sedalia Baptist Church, where Morton is a deacon, an usher, and Sunday school teacher, he said.

“The thing I’m most proud of is being a deacon,” he said.

Volunteer work is just a part of Morton's life.

“It seemed like it was part of my duty, I guess. You like to give back to your community.”

He has also done volunteer work outside organizations, he said. He has delivered books to shut-ins and to the Children’s Therapy Center, he said, as “just sort of an outgrowth of my work at the library.”

Morton has also taken friends and fellow church members to doctor’s appointments in Columbia, said J.W. Dean, who nominated Morton.

Dean said he has known Morton for nine years, and nominated him for the inaugural Torch Award because of his many activities.

“Don is a person that cares about other people,” he said.

Morton’s friend and fellow auxiliary member Jack Blackwell said he was surprised to hear Morton was named a finalist, but “he’s worthy.”

The two have volunteered together for more than 40 years, Blackwell said.

“You got so many years, you lose track,” he said.

Morton said he didn’t think he should win the award.

“I’m just pleased and honored to get my name in the paper,” he said.