Woodworking ex

Woodworking ex-Marine, 85, gets citation for helping kids

By MITCHELLE STEPHENSON For The Capital

Vern Richardson is 85 years old, but he's not letting that stop him from following his passion -

woodworking.

For the past two years, he has regularly delivered hundreds of wooden handicrafts to Mayo

Elementary School aftercare program where children paint the pieces and take them home.

Vern was single-handedly making and delivering so many of the treasured pieces that the aftercare

program, run by Anne Arundel County Department of Parks and Recreation, began to offer the

leftovers to children at some of the county's other aftercare programs.

Now, his pieces are regularly distributed to 31 county-run aftercare centers. They have been enjoyed

by some 2,000 students throughout Anne Arundel County.

On June 5, Vern and his wife, Lucille, came down to visit the boys and girls in the aftercare program

at Mayo. While there, Vern was honored with a party and he received a special citation from County

Executive John L. Leopold, honoring him for his generosity. Vern donates all of the pieces - he has

never asked for or accepted payment.

Vern got choked up as the children gathered around him. "You all make me feel real good," he said.

And once Kathy Guidry from the Department of Parks and Recreation presented him with the citation from the county executive, he had to take a few moments to collect himself.

It all started about three years ago when Vern was making regular pickups of wood at American Cedar and Millwork in Millersville.

There he met John Walters, an employee there. The two men became friends. When John introduced

Vern to his son, Ryan, then 6, Vern went home and made a wooden puzzle for the boy.

John's wife, Millie, then talked to Vern about the students in the Mayo aftercare program. It

started off small, with Vern making a few puzzles here and there.

Millie said that over the years she's seen a change in him. "Physically and emotionally, he's healthier

for what he does."

The program grew until Vern was making regular deliveries of hundreds of the pieces.

Of course Vern made a delivery on the day of the party. He had five full cases to drop off. Inside the

boxes there were pigs with little rope tails, cats, bunnies, dogs, squirrels, alligators, bears, birds,

bulls and a silhouette reminiscent of Grant Wood's 1930s painting, "American Gothic."

During the party, Vern talked a little bit about his life.He and Lucille have been married for 42 years.

He works at his saws about 3 to 4 hours each day. Vern is a veteran of the Marine Corps. He served

four tours in World War II, and seven tours in Korea. He can sing "Auld Lang Syne" in Japanese.

Lucille said a picture of him is hanging in the Korea museum exhibit at the Navy Yard in Washington,

D.C.

The students love Vern's work.

Ali Yates, 6, said, "I think they're good. I've painted two squirrels, a pig and a teddy bear. When I

get home I put them on my dresser."

Ali's twin brother, Austin, agreed that Vern's work is good. "I painted a kitty and a pig. I like it."

Vern may donate his labor for the project, but it is a labor of love - a love that the children seem to

share for Vern as well.