State

THE STATE A Weekly Survey of North Carolina Entered як *econd-clu«s matter. June 1. 1033, at the Pratottlco nt Hnteluh, North Carolina, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Vol. XIV. No. 16 September 14, 1946 Civic Handyman That's just about as good a desig¬ nation as any for Sam Alford, of Henderson, and there's no question but that In* has lived up to it for many years. By ISI.OYS IV. BRITT EVERY community has its "civic handyman." but few North Carolina towns and cities can boast of one who carries the title as literally as does Sam Alford of Henderson. As a matter of fact, Sam Alford’s influence and activities in civic and humanitarian affairs extends not only through Henderson and Vance County, but through North Carolina and the nation. That covers a lot of territory, but so do the certificates of merit which blanket the walls of his business office and also the walls of his study in his beautiful suburban home. A printer and merchant by trade, and a widely-known amateur ma¬ gician and entertainer during the few odd moments available during a 16-hour day, Sam Alford first became interested in helping his fellow man back in 1933, when the depression was at its height. "Times were tough then," Alford recalled, "and not everybody was enjoying life. There was a great opportunity to serve humanity, and few organizations were around at that time to adequately handle the situation. Just as did hundreds of others, I joined in an effort to make the plight of others easier." Salvation Army Job That year, Sam headed a drive to strengthen the Salvation Army in this area, and that first taste of civic work started him on a crusade which hasn't let up in the slightest in nearly 15 years and which frequently takes several hours a day away from his busi¬ ness. He was elected chairman of the Salvation Army in Vance County and has held the post con¬ tinuously since that first year. With that step into the civic field, other opportunities to serve his fellowman followed. He single- handedly organized Henderson's Community Chest after other group and individual efforts had failed. He’s still president of that organization. At one time or an¬ other. from 1935 to 1940, he headed every civic and charitable drive in Henderson and Vance County, in¬ cluding Boy and Girl Scouts. March of Dimes, Red Cross. War Relief, USO. Civilian defense, and others of minor and major nature. He is now state chairman for the White Cane Sale being sponsored by North Carolina Lions Clubs and the State Association for the Blind. He served as chairman of the Red Cross in Vance County during the recent war. being elected in 1939. and is still county chairman. He handled all home service activi¬ ties of the Red Cross, and spent an average of six hours daily, much of it at night, in pushing Rod Cross affairs. He headed the medical division of Vance County's Civilian Defense organization, and at one time had 27 first-aid stations in operation in the county and city. Apart from his home service activities with the Red Cross and Civilian Defense during the war. Sam found time to serve as a mem¬ ber of the Vance County War Ra¬ tion Board, and as a member of the Gasoline Ration Panel. That unit met daily for several years, taking another hour and a half of Sam’s day. More Campaigns In 1943-44. while already over¬ burdened with civic and charitable affairs, he found time to serve as President of the Henderson Cham¬ ber of Commerce. In that con¬ nection. he has served as head of almost every major division of the Chamber, and still is frequently called upon to contribute time and effort in the organization’s behalf. During the war he worked to mould North Carolina Lions Clubs into a war machine all its own. Through the various clubs, he organized war bond drives which netted the United States govern¬ ment millions in war bond sales. For that service, he added another certificate of merit to his wide col¬ lection. He first became interested In work for the blind back in 1933. when he was elected chairman of ( Continued on i>age 19) э THE STATE. SEPTEMBER 14. 1046