CHARLESTON, W.VA. – Who can bring more than 2,000 residents and tourists together each year to a small town in West Virginia for a weekend full of events around the history and legacy of John Henry? John “Bill” Dillon can.
Governor Joe Manchin will honor Dillon for his service with a Governor’s Service Award on Wednesday, July 16 at the Charleston Civic Center. Dillon will receive his award at a banquet held as part of Faces of Leadership, the annual state volunteerism conference.
Presented annually since 1995, the Governor’s Service Awards honors youth, young adults, adults, seniors, families, organizations and businesses who exemplify outstanding dedication to volunteerism and community service in West Virginia. Dillon is one of three recipients in the Lifetime Achievement category.
More than 12 years ago, Dillon, the postmaster of Talcott, W.Va. at the time, heard that the United States Post Office was going to release a stamp commemorating John Henry and that the launch would happen in Pittsburg, Pa. An avid historian, Dillon contacted the Post Office and informed them that John Henry was from Talcott. He convinced the Post Office to move the launch of the John Henry stamp to Talcott. From that launch, the John Henry Days Festival was born.
The festival, now in its thirteenth year, brings a diverse group of people to Talcott for three days of live music, concessions, a rubber ducky race, a car show, a parade and a walk. Exhibits with memorabilia also decorate the town .
Throughout the year, Dillon consistently works to raise funds for the festival. Through grant writing alone, Dillon acquired $4,000 to promote the festival through advertising and brochures. His efforts have helped community organizations form valuable partnerships. Businesses, county government officials and other volunteer organizations have enabled the festival to grow each year. The town is even in the initial planning stages for a John Henry Historical Park.
“It’s amazing that this little place of Talcott, only about a mile from end to end, can attract so many people for a three-day festival,” Martha Rookstool, a friend of Dillon’s, said. “He’s the hardest working volunteer I’ve ever met.”
When he’s not working hard planning the John Henry Days Festival, Dillon can be found mowing grass in public spaces throughout town, giving talks about John Henry in schools and to visiting groups, or serving on a committee to develop the John Henry Historical Park.
“He’s a true asset,” Levohn Biggers, a friend of Dillon’s, said. “The community depends on him.”
The Governor’s Service Awards are administered by the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service to honor outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses solving community problems through volunteer service. A panel of volunteer judges, including past awardees, choose the recipients on the basis of achievement, community needs, continuing involvement, innovation and impact of service.
Other recipients of the 2008 Governor’s Service Awards include, by category:
- Lifetime Achievement: Harold “Kitty” Wilson, Calhoun County; William “Sarge” McGhee, Wyoming County
- Youth: Emily Boggs of Charleston
- Adult: Karen Haynes, Putnam County
- Senior: Laura Sevy, Fayette County; G. Lee Fisher, Braxton County
- Organization: Jonathon Powell Hope Foundation, Mercer County
- Business: Verizon, statewide; INSITE, Kanawha County
For tickets to the awards banquet, or information about the conference, contact Moya Doneghy at (304) 558-0111 or 1-800-WV-HELPS, or by e-mail at Moya.Doneghy@wv.gov.
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