Published: July 23, 2008 10:06 am            

Ellen Walker honored for years of service by United Methodist Children’s Home

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Tears flowed freely down the face of Ellen Walker as a plaque was unveiled in honor of her years of service on the United Methodist Children’s Home board.

“She’s been one of the consistent themes here through all the times of change,” UMCH Director Clete Winkleman said. “We wanted to honor her leadership and guidance spanning 18 years of service.”

The plaque honoring not only Walker but all board members of the UMCH is part of a new seating and flag pole area at the facility. Winkleman said the flag pole and American and Christian flags were donated by Woodmen of the World.

“In all the years, I’m most proud of the children that have been helped,” Walker said. “I’m proud of the staff and workers and the work they’ve done. ... It hasn’t been just me, but all the board members, all the staff and all the children that have gotten things accomplished. Being on this board has been one of the highlights of my life. It has helped me grow and learn things.”

Walker retired from the board in June this year, after serving since 1990. She became the chairman of the board in 1999. Winkleman said term limits for board members went into effect during her tenure, and her terms were grandfathered in. Now, board members serve two terms of three years each.

During her time on the board of UMCH, Walker has been a part of many changes, including four directors, including Winkleman; two major construction projects, adding buildings to the facility on Richview Road; expanded operating sites which include 27th Street and the YouthBuild facility on Veterans Memorial Drive; seen staff increase from around 30 staff members to 107 positions; UMCH obtaining Medicaid certification as well as accreditation from two quality assurance organizations; and seen “the number of children and families served increase substantially,” Winkleman said.

Winkleman said Walker “single-handedly” started the Friends of UMCH, a women’s auxiliary which now boasts between 40 and 50 members. He also said Walker was “instrumental” in the incorporation of the UMCH Foundation in 1996-1997.

“She and others worked diligently to incorporate the foundation and set up the endowment that helps us so much today,” Winkleman said.

Winkleman said the plaque was a symbolic object to show the long-lasting thanks of the UMCH for Walker and other board members’ service.

        

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