C. Franklin Dover, Jr., a retired educational administrator and member of Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (MEC), has earned the 2019 Good Samaritan Award presented by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC).
Given to an individual whose body of good work has been so selfless and life-changing to others that it is held up as a “gold standard” of community service, the award was presented to Dover on December 6 in a surprise ceremony held during the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Social in Clarksville, Va.
“Since relocating to Clarksville 13 years ago and commencing a second career in real estate, Mr. Dover has worked diligently as a director for the Clarksville Ruritan Club, delivering in 2018 over $180,000 in funds, including $75,000 in scholarships and $30,000 to families in need, to a community that has endured significant job loss,” says David Lipscomb, MEC vice president of member and energy services.
As a member of the United Country Virginia Realty BBQ crew, Dover is renowned for his work to assist in providing meals throughout the year to help raise funds--from donating and serving hot dogs to those attending Clarksville’s Fourth of July Parade, dinner for hot air balloonists during Clarksville’s Lakefest celebration, Thanksgiving dinners to the community and a holiday luncheon at which gifts are collected to give needy children for Christmas. “The BBQ crew has also provided meals for hard-working Cooperative line crews helping to restore power following a major outage event,” Lipscomb adds.
In his nomination letter of support J. Charles Lee, a retired educator, wrote, “Frank has a clear and realistic vision of what this community can be, and he unselfishly applies his education, professional experience, energy, and financial resources to make good things possible for others. He has an uncanny ability to predict the feasibility of various projects; and if he thinks it will work, he always does more than his share, with a participation that is usually quiet but always significant.”
For more than a decade, Dover has organized the Ruritans’ Friday night dance that raises approximately $10,000 a year and remains a weekly highlight for many residents. He not only lines up musicians from across Southside Virginia but also promotes and manages the event and cleans up afterward. Noting that Dover serves on the club’s Special Needs Committee and helps families who have incurred tragedies throughout the year, Ruritan President Janice Edwards wrote, “If we only had 100 more people like Franklin Dover, we could change the world!”
In presenting Dover with the award, VMDAEC President & CEO Richard Johnstone said, “Frank is a living example of a Good Samaritan and exemplifies the 7th cooperative principle of ‘Concern for Community.’ We are proud to recognize his contributions that have made such a difference for Southside Virginians.”
Award nominations were solicited from the 13 electric cooperatives that serve Virginia through promotion in Cooperative Living magazine, and Dover was nominated by Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative. MEC President and CEO John C. Lee, Jr., comments, “Frank’s selflessness and enduring commitment to his community make us very proud to count him amongst MEC’s members. We know him to be caring, unselfish, humble, pleasant, kind, energetic, respectful, and generous, and if you aspire to help others, there can be no greater hero, or mentor, than Franklin Dover…it is simply impossible for anyone to give any more…to their fellow man.”