Betty Reed

Betty Reed, 71, is a resource of service and leadership in Lake County. Her devotion to volunteering is simple: to make a difference in someone’s day with a bit of happiness! Since retiring after 35 years of teaching in the Willoughby-Eastlake School System, Mrs. Reed has amerced herself in volunteer activities that have enriched the lives of those she has touched. For the past eleven years, Betty has been a hospital volunteer at Lake West Hospital and may be found at the front desk as the first point of contact for those entering Lake West. For the past five years, she has taken pride in making large heart shaped pillows for heart surgery patients, providing comfort and a sense of security to these patients as they place the pillow against their chests when they cough.

The Willoughby Food Pantry is another special project that benefits from Mrs. Reed’s goodwill. Betty visits garage sales during the year, searching for stuffed animals. She washes and delivers them to the pantry so they may be given to the small children of clients. For the past 24 years, Betty has served as an elder on the Board of Lay Ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church. Betty also volunteers as a tutor for first graders at Fairfax Elementary School. She continues to give of her time as the corresponding secretary at the Mentor Senior Center where she has been elected to the Board three times (2000, 2002 and 2004). Her involvement at the Center includes being a member of the Center’s Dance Committee.

Betty has received several community service awards including the R.S.V.P. Quality Service Award (2004) and 5000 hours of service recognition at Lake Hospital Systems (2004). Mrs. Reed is a member of the Lake County Retired Teachers’ Association and a lifetime member of the Ohio Retired Teachers’ Association.