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Committed Mentor Receives Spirit of Family Award
Compassionate people like Col. David Cole, volunteer mentor and Chairman of the leadership development committee at Boys Town Texas, help youth realize their full potential.
Boys Town Texas recognized Cole with the 2006 Spirit of Family Award for his devotion to children and his ability to offer help, healing and hope in many capacities.
"David Cole has truly changed the lives of kids," said Wade Roscoe, Boys Town Texas Executive Director. "He is a dedicated mentor in our Hosts Mentoring Program."
"He is such a well-rounded volunteer," said Elizabeth Collet, Boys Town Texas Development Director. "He is a good role model and he gets done what needs to get done for the sake of the kids."
The third annual recipient of the prestigious award, Cole said he appreciated the honor very much and was also very surprised. "I don't mentor for recognition," he said. "I just really enjoy working with kids."
Cole moved to Texas in 1999 and answered a Boys Town ad in the newspaper asking for mentors at the Texas site. "I became a mentor and they asked me to join the leadership development committee," said Cole. After one year on the committee he was elected Chairman, a position he continues to hold.
Cole mentors one or two kids every week. Even when school isn't in session and mentors don't usually come in, he goes anyway to talk or read the newspaper with the kids. "They need an adult they can trust," he said.
In addition to his normal volunteering at the site, he organized and helped construct a prayer garden in the circular courtyard in the middle of the five residential homes, in 2005.
"He will do anything that is asked of him," said Rascoe. "He has served in many roles here and everyone is just proud to know him."
"I do a smattering of everything but I most enjoy the kids," he said. "Probably because I'm still a kid in many ways."
