By Sarah Richardson
At the Jan. 1, 2020 Shanghai Parade, it was announced that resident Cliff Baker was named as the 2019 Volunteer of the Year by the City of Lewisburg.
Each year the City recognizes an individual, or individuals, nominated by City Council to be named Volunteers of the Year for their generous contribution of their time and services. Oftentimes, these people are not highly visible, yet many benefit from their efforts.
A proclamation signed by Mayor Beverly White states, “The City of Lewisburg is fortunate to have citizens who actively volunteer their time and effort in our community,” and that Baker was chosen partly for his years of extensive work with local Boy Scout groups, local churches, and more.
“Every time someone works with our youth and helps change their lives, they should be recognized,” said Mayor White.
Baker has previously worked as a software engineer, director of marketing, and VP of total quality and information technology for ABB. He has dedicated his spare time among numerous organizations, including being a founding member, past president, demonstrator, instructor and webmaster of the West Virginia Woodturners Association.
Several projects that Baker has helped facilitate include Lewisburg Eagle Projects such as installing walking tour plaques, historic building markers, new roofs on log buildings at the Barracks; fences at Carnegie Hall and cemetery; landscaping at the Civil War cemetery; installing a mini-park on Washington Street; memory garden at St. James Church; shelving at Library and Food Locker; landscaping at Civil War monument; picnic tables and an information kiosk at Carnegie Hall; renovated dugout at Little League field; signage and landscaping at the Humane Society shelter; bat boxes at WVSOM greenspace; and countless other activities.
The proclamation recognizes Baker and his wife, Pat, with “contributing to the wellbeing of the citizens of Lewisburg for decades,” and Jan. 1, 2020, was declared to be Volunteer of the Year Day in his honor for the promotion of volunteerism.
Mayor White said, “We could not have found a more deserving person for this award. Cliff is an outstanding member of the community, and we are so blessed to have him and everything he brings to the table.”
