Meet Dave Gillard
Volunteer drivers are the key to keeping our seniors on the move. David (Dave) Gillard is one of our newest and most active drivers, giving the gift of a ride and friendship.
Born and raised in Berlin Heights, OH, Dave attended Purdue University, where he also was a Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) midshipman. After college, he entered the U.S. Navy where he worked many years as a Meteorologist/Oceanographer, serving most recently as the Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Observatory. After his military career, Dave worked as a contractor for the government for fourteen years. Dave and his wife, Joan, are long-time residents of Herndon, where they raised their two sons, Nathan and Steven. Joan and Dave have been blessed with three grandchildren.
Dave, recently retiring in 2018, remains very active. He is highly involved with his beautiful grandchildren as well as with his community, which he serves extensively through Trinity Presbyterian Church and other nonprofit organizations including Herndon Village Network. Dave said, “I heard from some friends about the great work that HerndonVillage Network is doing, and I thought ‘I can do that!’”
Dave did not hesitate to help. He had experience interacting with community members through LINK, the local food pantry, and he knew he would enjoy reaching out to area senior citizens. He gives the gift of a ride once or twice per week. He finds it very easy to find ride requests that fit his schedule, and he enjoys the flexibility that this type of service offers. Most of all, he really enjoys meeting new people.
“In two hours, you can really learn about someone else,” shared Dave. “It’s broadening and rewarding to get to know others in the community…. If you like people, this is the kind of work you want to do.”
Herndon Village Network thanks Dave and all of its other drivers for the valuable service and neighborly friendship they offer.
To learn about becoming a vetted, volunteer driver, please visit https://herndonvillagenetwork.org/volunteer/.