By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Donald Hall, recognized Tuesday evening by Elks Lodge 889 as Dowagiac Citizen of the Year, is already hard at work on his next volunteer project, working with Police Chief Tom Atkinson to start a Student Emergency Response Team (SERT) to complement the city's CERT (Community Emergency Response Team).
Hall at one time was very involved with Red Cross, traveling to North Carolina in 1999 to provide flood relief.
While Lois stayed with Red Cross, Don decided that as an eight-year cancer survivor, that might be a good direction to steer his volunteerism.
With American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Hall worked his way through all the committees except chair and vice chair, from the opening ceremony to the luminary candle service at night during the 24-hour event.
He also contributes to the Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life and as a road to recovery driver, taking cancer patients to Kalamazoo for appointments, radiation treatment and chemotherapy.
Cass County's Relay the weekend of May 21 at the fairgrounds in Cassopolis raised $86,600 at last count, Hall said. "Hopefully, we'll hit close to $90,000."
He also volunteers at Steve's Run. He is a member of the city Police Advisory Board and belongs to First United Methodist Church, where he serves on the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee.
Hall has three daughters: Suzanne Fischer of Elkhart, Ind.; Catherine, of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and Melanie Deford, of South Bend, Ind.
Don and Lois participated in Dowagiac's first citizens academy, including riding along with an officer.
Hall also became involved with Sheriff Joseph Underwood's office, both at the E-911 center adjacent to the 1899 courthouse, where he maintains the database, and "the jail" on M-62.