Thursday, February 28, 2008

Madison Volunteers at Work

Louise Crawford shared her life story with at the Madison County Republican Women's (MCRW) meeting on February 19th. Crawford told the group how she left school after the 7th grade to go to work. Later she married and raised seven children.

Now a widow for 14 years, she recently decided to finish her education with the encouragement of her "true Christian friends." She is one of many adults who have benefited from the Literacy Council's GED program.

Judy Butler, a retired school teacher, found the Literacy Council to be a great place to volunteer. She is the new Chairman of the Council which was formed in 1988 to teach reading to illiterate adults. Over the years, their mission has expanded in many areas, from GED training to reading to children at libraries, according to Butler who also volunteers with the Madison Chamber of Commerce and the Free Clinic.

Judy's husband, Jerry Butler, uses his retirement time volunteering with TRIAD, a group which focuses on law enforcement for seniors. Other MCRW members, including Liz O'Neil and Frank Stidman, also volunteer with this organization.


Mary Anne and Bill Walthall, members of Beth Carr Baptist Church, just returned from the church's Port Sulpher Mission Trip 2008. They were part of a regional 28 member team that went to Louisiana to work on four different projects in the hurricane stricken area.

MCRW members are very actively involved in civic organizations throughout the area. They can be found at:

  • AARP Tax Aide

  • American Legion

  • Battlefield/Piedmont Regional Triad Council and the Madison Triad

  • Beth Carr Choir

  • Deer Hunters

  • Eagle Forum

  • Eastern Star

  • Faquier Historical Society

  • Free Clinic

  • Garden Club

  • Linn Banks Masonic Order

  • Madison Chamber of Commerce

  • Madison County Historical Society

  • volunteering in the Madison County School system

  • Madison Lions Club

  • Master Gardeners club

  • National Rifle Association

  • North-South Skirmish Association

  • Orange Baptist Church Choir

  • Remington Lion’s Club

  • Questers

  • Women’s Club, and

  • VFVV Masonic Order, to name a few.


Left to right: Madison County Republican Women's club members
Louise Crawford, Mary Ann Walthall, Bill Walthall, Judy Butler and Jerry Butler