Crossing Borders ... Bridging Gaps

BY JENNIFER PENCEK

Photo by Jerry Himes

Advisory Board member Jerry Hymes travels with the next generation to make a difference in the lives of Dominican Republic youth

It's a chilly spring morning when Gerald "Jerry" Hymes walks into the café inside Barnes & Noble in Altoona, heading straight to the counter. Armed with his travel mug, the 68-year-old Penn State Altoona Advisory Board member gets his usual java refill and sits at a small table near the window, ready for what few look forward to—talking about themselves.

In between talking about a great book on the Amish to the view of wind turbines on the mountain, Hymes sips his coffee and talks about a trip he and about thirty Penn State Altoona students took in 2006 during spring break. The destination was Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic; the purpose was to assist Orphanage Outreach, an organization that brings volunteers to the poverty-stricken area to do everything from teaching students English and playing with the orphans to working on various projects and miscellaneous chores.

Photo by Jerry Himes

Hymes wore many proverbial hats on the trip. From teacher to cameraman, he—like many of the other volunteers—rarely lacked things to do. While he has trouble pinpointing one most memorable moment, he fondly recalls sitting around with the students during free time at night, talking about everything from religion to what the students want out of life.

"In the evening, they'd be sitting around and we'd talk about religion, and other things. Being the old stodgy guy in the group, they'd ask me why I retired, and they'd tell me their pursuits," he says. "I was really impressed with the maturity, caring, and concern these youngsters had for the poor little kids there."

Lee Ann De Reus, faculty organizer of the trip, calls a volunteer like Hymes selfless. But Hymes says not to call him an angel. In his mind, he was just in the right place at the right time, and only doing what he has always done—helping others. "The opportunity was there, and I was available fortunately," he says. "I had the time to do it. I always try to help people."

In order to give greater meaning to their roles on the Advisory Board, Penn State Altoona Chancellor Lori J. Bechtel has been striving for ways to actively engage board members with the student body. De Reus and Bechtel felt the Orphanage Outreach project presented such an opportunity and invited board members to join the spring break trip.

Hymes' acceptance came as no surprise to either of them.

Photo by Jerry Himes

"This was right up his alley," De Reus says. "Here was a retired individual donating his time to do this. He did electrical work and smaller projects at the orphanage, helped with teaching, and was our unofficial photographer. Jerry was cracking people up all the time. We truly appreciated having him along on the trip."

Hymes has been a resident of Altoona practically since birth. Given his involvement in the community and on campus, as well as the several trips he made to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, Bechtel—who twice has been to the orphanage—viewed Hymes' interest in the trip as right in line with his personality and character.

"Jerry is a caring and dedicated individual who freely shares his time and talents to help those in need. We appreciate Jerry's dedication to our college and our community, both locally and globally," states Bechtel.

Hymes got his first look at abject poverty when he served in the Navy from 1957 to 1961. Before his ship even anchored in Haiti for military exercises, Hymes sensed the people's desperation. And although their countries border one another, the residents of Haiti and Dominican Republic are hardly best friends. A photo from Hymes' trip to the orphanage shows a mural of the Dominican Republic minus one important geographical detail—Haiti. Instead, colorful fish swim up the country's faux Western coast.

"It's nice to see the Board be one that's active instead of showing up quarterly for a few meetings. We're not just a bunch of suits walking around."
—Jerry Hymes

Two other photos portray the striking differences Hymes encountered. In one, smiling, laughing students are shown in a classroom, seemingly talking to friends. The other depicts a telephone pole, standing crooked on a street, two pieces roped together, complete with loose wires messily hung over the top. The sights weren't a surprise for Hymes, who remembers his naval trip to Haiti quite well. "I've been around. I knew what to expect," he states. "But it's a very eye-opening experience for the college kids."

After leaving the military, Hymes married Judy, now his wife of forty-two years. In 1968, Hymes started working for Saleme Insurance in Altoona. Ten or twelve years after joining the company, he bought it, retiring three years ago. Hymes attended both Penn State Altoona and the University Park campus and his allegiance to the University has remained strong; for almost a decade, Hymes has been a member of the Penn State Altoona Advisory Board. His involvement with the community is equally significant, including current service on the board of directors of the Blair County Arts Foundation.

In the fall, when students are lugging heavy boxes up dormitory steps into their new residences, Hymes and his fellow board members are there, sweating right along with them. Helping put a face to the Advisory Board is something Hymes finds important, especially with students.

"It's nice to see the Board be one that's active instead of showing up quarterly for a few meetings," he says. "We're not just a bunch of suits walking around."

It is obvious that retirement hasn't meant simply relaxing in a recliner, occasionally visiting with his three grown daughters, and playing with his five grandchildren.

Given his family's work background, sitting back and letting the time go by just isn't an option.

"My father worked shoveling coal for a living," Hymes says. "It's that work ethic. I'm 68-years-old, and I don't know how much time I have left. I want to get it all in."