04/08/2006

KEARNEY — Bill Ballou is happiest when he’s helping those less fortunate.

“I guess I have a humanitarian streak in me. I enjoy helping others,” he said.

Sharon Hoffman of Kearney saw Ballou’s compassion firsthand when she went on a Rotary International trip with him to Nicaragua in 2003 on a project to help children who were living in and eating out of dumps. Hoffman and Ballou are members of Kearney Noon Rotary.

“He spends way more time helping other people than what he does for himself,” she said.

For his efforts with Rotary, Ballou, 65, has won the service organization category in the Hub’s Freedom Awards. He was nominated by Minden resident Marcie Schmidt who said Ballou “is always thinking about what and where he can help someone in need.”

Modestly, Ballou said he just tries to be of service and motivate others to follow the Rotarians’ motto of “Service Above Self.” Rotary encourages people to use their skills to help the underprivileged locally and internationally.

“I know people enjoy helping others, and I’ve seen it so many times. If you can get people involved in helping others, it just makes a difference in society and world peace and understanding,” he said.

District governor to 1,500 Rotarians in 35 clubs in central and western Nebraska, Ballou is best known for making trips through Rotary International to countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and North America. He has worked on international projects such as a well-drilling project in Haiti, a literacy effort in South Africa and raising funds to help with corrective surgery for children born with cleft lip or cleft palate in South America.

“I’ve always enjoyed the international aspect of anything — geography, cultures and people,” said Ballou, who was placed on the International Rotary Committee shortly after joining Kearney’s club.

In the state and in five foreign countries, Ballou also is known as the yo-yo expert. He spreads messages about responsibility, love and Christian values by regularly speaking at schools, churches and meetings of all types of groups.

The owner of the Solid Rock Christian bookstore in Kearney, Ballou grew up poor in Rapid City, S.D. Despite their difficulties, Ballou said, his mother still helped others.

“I’ve seen the need,” he said.

Ken Gnadt, a Rotary district governor from 2004-2005 and retired Grand Island mayor, said Ballou has raised a phenomenal amount of money for Rotary projects.

“From water wells in Haiti, to the cleft palate group in the Philippines, to the elimination of polio worldwide, Bill’s passion has been to work with overseas groups,” he said. “His true belief is helping those less fortunate.”

e-mail to:
kim.schmidt@kearneyhub.com