BELLVILLE — Charil Fuhrer was honored by The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging Inc as the 2020 Richland County Outstanding Senior Citizen on Wednesday.
“I’m not originally from Bellville, but when I retired and I started volunteering in 2013 I said to myself, ‘I’m not going to sit at home and do nothing,’” Fuhrer said after accepting her award. “I wanted to be able to go out and do something to help people.”
A group of onlookers gathered around the Bellville Bandstand, proudly watching as Fuhrer was honored by several Richland County officials including Mayor of Bellville Teri Brenkus, Vice President of administrative services for the Area Agency on Aging Teresa Cook, Richland County Commissioner Tony Vero, and President of the Bellville Neighborhood Outreach Center (BNOC) Matt Merendino.
“As we all know COVID may have changed how we can get together but what hasn’t changed is the outstanding way individuals, groups and organizations are working together to support and take care of one another,” Cook said.
Fuhrer, a volunteer at the BNOC, has shown incredible devotion to the Bellville community throughout the years, giving a helping hand by putting clothes away or just cleaning.
After retiring from her full-time job in 2016, Fuhrer took on more responsibilities. Rather than coming in at the BNOC’s typical business hours starting at 10:30 a.m., Fuhrer’s there at 8:30 a.m., checking the food, making sure it’s ready and fresh.
“Why does she do this? Why should she (check on the vegetables)?” Cook asked rhetorically. “Because Charil cares about everyone in the community, and every person is going to end up with those fruits and vegetables.”
Fuhrer’s work doesn’t stop there, according to Cook. She’s always the first to step forward and offer help when donations need to be picked up, checking orders and helping unload 3,000 pounds worth of food from Walmart trucks. In total, she volunteers 30 hours a week.
Even with the accolades she’s received, Fuhrer does not take full credit for all that she’s accomplished and shared the award with her other volunteers who were in attendance.
“I never thought that I would be elected, never thought I’d be nominated…” Fuhrer said. “I appreciate every one of my volunteers here — trust me, it’s a working team. Whether you’re sweeping the floor or you’re helping clients that’s what we’re here for.”
