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recordBy TERRY HERSOiMA friend in needYou and I have “let George do it” for so many years that we owe him far more than words of thanks.One “George” we know — perhaps the premier example of the old slogan — is a man named Hollis Albertson, who has given so fireely of his time for many years, helping out on more Ottumwa athletic projects than anyone can remember.“I don’t think there’s a kid in this town who’s played baseball who hasn’t benefited somehow from Hollis’ efforts,” says Wayne Leach, president of the Ottumwa A-Club, the organization which selected Albertson as its “Man of the Year” last spring.A self-employed carpenter, Albertson has hammered many a nail without financial reward, both building and maintaining everything from dugouts to concession stands at several of the dty’s baseball parks.Moreover, he has played an active organizational role in the little League, Babe Ruth and Senior Babe Ruth baseball programs, not to mention the A-Club, of which he is a longtime board member.It’s sad, indeed, for me to report that disaster has struck the Albertson household. Hollis’ wife, Lena, has been hospitalized in intensive care for over a month since undergoing emergency surgery on a bleeding ulcer.I needn’t tell you that 30-some days in intensive care is an expensive matter. An accurate tally is not available, but the Albertson’s bill was nearing $20,000 this week, according to Leach.Most of us never face the tremendous crush of medical bills. We are sheltered by our employers’ low-cost group medicalinsurance.Working independently, Albertson had no such protection. And, when he attempted to purchase insurance some time ago, he was sold a policy that covered only himself. Coverage for Lena was denied since she’s suffered for many years from emphysema.The end result is, of course, a financial nightmare from which there might seem no awakening. The only way out is for those of us who’ve benefited so much from Hollis Albertson to come to his rescue.Leach has made arrangements for the Union Bank to accept donations in Albertson’s name in hopes that Ottumwans will respond as generously with their money as Albertson has with his time and energy.I’m well aware how often it is that we’re all approached to give to this cause or that. It’s seldom, however, that we have an opportunity to see our dollars achieve some definite and useful objective. In this instance, we do.“It took a lot of talking — Hollis didn’t want to accept charity,” said Leach. “But he’s finally come to realize that there’s no other way. Ifwe don’t help out, he’s gonna godown the drain.”We can’t let that happen, can we?
Newspaper Details
Ottumwa Courier
Ottumwa, Iowa, US
Wed, Nov 16, 1977
Page 19
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 04 Apr 2021
Other Publications Near Ottumwa, Iowa
Ottumwa Daily Review
Ottumwa Courier
Ottumwa Tri Weekly Courier
Baptismal Register Sacred Heart
Standard Atlas of Wapello County Iowa
