Karen S. Haynes.

February 6, 2011

Two years ago, the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service named Karen Haynes of Scott Depot to receive the Governor's Service Award. Then the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce named her for the prestigious Mayo Lister Award. This year Haynes received the coveted Jefferson Award for Community Service.

But does Haynes rest on her laurels?

She hasn't even slowed down. And some say she's picking up speed!

It may be that the more he does, the greater need she sees.

"Two years ago, we had our Yuletide in the Park Christmas Program," Haynes told Rotarians today. "There were two little girls, three and five years old, watching the horse and wagon [ride] drive around the park.

"I asked them why they didn't get on the wagon and ride. And their first words were, 'How much does it cost?'

"I told them this was free, and this is for you. Everything in the park is free.

"They got on. They got hot chocolate.

"Anytime I have an event in the community," she explained, "it's going to be free for kids."

A favorite activity, set this year for April 16th, is the "Once Upon a Time" Princess Tea Party. "We get close to 3,000 people," said Haynes. "It's free to all little girls. If someone calls and says, 'I want to bring my little girl, but she doesn't have a costume; I can't afford to buy her a costume.' Then I make sure that little girl has a costume."

The Princess Tea Party, for ages 2 to 12, is on the schedule this year for April 16th from 10:00 to 2:00 o'clock.

And not to leave out the young boys, a Cabin Fever is planned for March 12 in "the Commons," the former Museum-in-the-Community building.

Among other activities which Haynes is sponsoring, or encouraging -- or for which she is volunteering:

• Buffalo Heritage Day -- May 13-14
• The Bridge-to-Ridge Bike Tour -- starting from the Courthouse in Winfield on May 14
• Run-for-the-Wall, a national motorcycle pilgrimage to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington (The bikers are expected to arrive in Putnam County about 5:00 p.m. on May 25 where they will feast on donated spaghetti, salad and ice cream.)
• The Community Easter Egg Hunt at 2:00 on April 9th
• A Solid Waste Cleanup an April 2nd from 8:00 to 1:00
• A Taste of Putnam on May 15th
• And. of course, the Civil War Weekend (March 25-27)

Spouse R. Joe Hanyes, County Commission President (and a Rotarian), may have trouble at times keeping up the pace, but all his salary, and more, he acknowledges, goes toward Karen's programs. A new project in the planning stage includes the collection and sale of stuffed animals. This "Second Chance," which will raise funds for a new animal shelter -- another Karen Haynes project -- will include a formal adoption procedure for the outgrown toys.

"I'm going to go out and beg," she said. "I'm a good beggar; I've been told 'no' before. That's OK! I just go on to the next person."