THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: Thursday, February 23, 1995 TAG: 9502220147 SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
GUY R. HOLLEY is a man on the move.
When many people are ending their eight-hour workday, Holley is just warming up. He spends about 20 hours a week doing volunteer work in the evenings.
Holley is employed by the Virginia Department of Transportation's Suffolk District repair shop. Recently promoted to equipment repair technician senior, he arrives for work at 7 a.m.
At 3:30 p.m., he heads home, toGates, N.C., for a quick dinner. Then it's off to the Gates County Community Center, where he is supervisor and coach of T-ball, baseball and basketball teams two nights a week and on Saturdays. In addition, Holley coaches the Gates County High School girls basketball team. Games are played on Tuesday and Friday evenings.
``Some kids have problems at high school, but when they come to the community center, I know how to deal with them,'' Holley said. ``I can joke, but I can be serious. When Mr. Holley says don't do it no more, they don't.''
There is little time for rest for the 40-year-old Holley, who nonetheless says he finds enjoyment in everything he does.
``I get a kick out of helping everybody,'' Holley said. ``I've talked with the Lord so long, he's given me the talent to do it.''
Recently, an anonymous person wrote a letter to North Carolina's Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. in recognition of Holley's volunteer service. As a result, Holley and his family were invited to a ceremony and reception where he was presented a North Carolina Volunteer Award by Gov. and Mrs. Hunt.
Once a week, Holley directs the Mentor Adolescent Partnership Program (MAPP), which also meets at the community center. His wife, Reba, who is a Gates County extension agent, told Holley that there were boys who needed a role model and recommended him for the job.
To prepare, Holley studied books and information supplied by the 4-H program.
``I'm a mentor for teens who have problems,'' he said. ``I try to put them on the right path and educate them about teen pregnancy. Sometimes, we take field trips.''
Three years ago, Holley worked with nine boys, ages 15 to 19. Since then, he has recruited an assistant for the group, which has grown to 32 members and now includes girls, as well.
Holley volunteers his time to the March of Dimes, the Combined Virginia Campaign, the Savings Bond, and serves on the board of trustees at the Greater Welch's Chapel in Tyner, N.C. Last year, he also coached the VDOT Employee Benefits Association Softball Team.
After a long day, Holley cannot count on a good night's sleep. A volunteer firefighter, he recently was called out at 4 a.m. to fight a fire in frigid temperatures. The burning house was two miles from his own home.
There is no let-up in Holley's busy schedule on the weekends as he works as many hours as possible on his ``dream home'' in Gates, a project that involves his wife, a few friends, and both his mother and mother-in-law.
``I'm my own contractor,'' he said. ``My wife helped wire the house, and everyone has done some painting on the inside. We hope to move in in about a month.''
Holley also tries to spend quality time with his two sons, nine-year-old Guy Armond, and Tovaris, 7.
A native of Chowan County, Holley was one of eight children. He is accustomed to hard work.
``I delivered papers out in the county on a bike and worked afternoons on a farm picking produce,'' he said. ``Then, I used to help on my daddy's farm - with no pay,'' he said, smiling.
Holley was employed as a welder at Newport News Shipbuilding after graduating from Chowan High School. A year later, he went to work as a machinist for United Piece & Dye Work near Edenton, N.C.
Seven years ago, Holley enrolled in the College of the Albemarle, worked eight hours each day and went to school from 4 p.m. to midnight.
``It was rough, but I made up my mind,'' Holley said. ``I did my homework on my work breaks.''
Holly said he manages to slip away occasionally to go fishing in the summertime.
``It does me a lot of good,'' he said. ``I don't care if I catch anything or not. It's just being away - being free.''
After his house is built, Holley plans to return to school, take a course in business and computers and open his own business.
``It's something I've been wanting to do for quite a while,'' he said. ``I want to have some type of business for my sons.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Guy Holley, an employee of the Virginia Department of
Transportation, has won the North Carolina Volunteer Award for his
work with community and high school sports in Gates County, where he
resides.
by CNB