ACT looking forward to another big year

Feb. 4—NORWALK — The stories are endless. The rewards have been life-changing.

Answering the Call Together (ACT) Executive Director David Wallace is retiring at the end of March.

He has been at it for 13 years.

"I've learned there is a tremendous amount of need right here at home," Wallace said. "I have learned there are a lot of people in our local area who care to give their time, talent and money to help those in need. We have a very kind and caring community."

ACT has completed 21 mission projects, with more than 150 volunteers giving their time and talents, accounting for more than 1,500 volunteer hours dedicated to serving people in need.

ACT focuses most of its attention right here at home, having completed 15 local projects. Some examples of these projects include building nine wheelchair ramps, installing handrails and grab bars, and making numerous electrical and plumbing repairs.

ACT, along with the Norwalk High School volleyball team, had the opportunity to help landscape the Norwalk Salvation Army.

ACT made five out-of-state mission trips this past year, including two trips to Kentucky rebuilding homes that were destroyed by tornadoes. Its mobile kitchen responded to three natural disasters in 2022, providing hot meals in Louisiana, Florida and Kentucky.

"When we started we were doing three or four projects a year with about 30 volunteers," said Wallace, who retired as a Norwalk firefighter and is now a local Realtor. "The last couple of years we have done over 30 projects a year and we have over 500 volunteers on our contact list ... in Florida, North Carolina, West Virginia, Indiana, just to name a few."

Why?

"I have been in missions most of my life," Wallace said. "I always have tried to serve people when I joined the Air Force right out of high school and with the missions at First Presbyterian Church. I was a public servant as a firefighter. When I had to retire with an injury I wanted to continue."

Wallace and his wife, Treena, have been married 38 years. They have two daughters — Jessica, who is in the U.S. Air Force and is going to be promoted to a major, and Macie Wallace, an ER nurse at Fisher-Titus.

This will give David and Treena time to travel.

"We had our family dynamics change," he said. "Our daughter (Jessica) had our first grandchild (a girl, Archie) and she lives in San Antonio, Texas."

How about your daughter following in your footsteps?

"I was pleasantly shocked when she joined the Air Force," he said. "Both of my daughters are in a position to serve people, and I am proud of the fact they are following in my footsteps helping others."

What are some of the highlights from those 13 years with ACT?

"When we went down for the hurricanes and served food to people who lost everything," he said. "To interact with people who have lost everything they have owned. Some have lost homes. Some have lost loved ones. Some have lost their belongings.

"They tell you how much they appreciate a hot meal. We leave our homes and leave a normal household. You are in the middle of a disaster area. A humbling event to say the least."

Wallace also recalls trips to Belize in Central America.

"That's a whole different level of poor," he said. "To meet people and establish relationships is something I have never imagined. One of the most rewarding opportunities of my life."

Would he do it again? Wallace said absolutely.

"The friendships not only here locally but around the United States and around the world ... it's incredibly rewarding," he said.

ACT is currently looking for somebody to replace Wallace.

"This is a great opportunity to serve those in need locally and around the world," he said. "We have an amazing board to work with. Work with local agencies. Catholic Charities, United Fund, When Pigs Fly, The Salvation Army, all of the churches, Board of DD, Habitat for Humanity, senior center, doctors offices, Lions Club, Rotary, Kiwanis ... just so many contacts you are exposed to being director of this organization.

"A blessing. ... We are all in it together."

ACT President Dennis Doughty spoke about Wallace's impact on the organization.

"David has done an incredible job of leading the many projects of ACT for 13 years," Doughty said. "First of all, we have to find somebody to take his place. The board is going to step up and take on a lot of it. It will be a real challenge, because Dave did such a great job."

Ed Cardwell and Greg Keefer started ACT and it became an official non-profit organization in 2005.

"I became executive director when Ed Cardwell passed away," Wallace said. "It all kind of happened and it provided me the opportunity to lead the organization."

Doughty stressed ACT is about helping people, which is exactly what Wallace did for more than a decade.

"We really should salute when someone has done so much and worked so hard," he said. "Thirteen years running the organization and he has been all over this country. Dave is someone who has served our community faithfully, first as a fireman, then with ACT."

ACT purchases many items that are not building supplies such as: mattresses, box springs, shower benches and chairs, grab bars and handrails, furnaces, sump pumps, carpet, wheelchairs, wheelchair parts and even a refrigerator.

ACT purchased thousands of dollars worth of food and water to feed those who were hungry and thirsty due to natural disasters.

Those interested in supporting ACT, can email info@answeringthecalltogether.org.