I have been involved in volunteering for several years.
From 1980 to 2003, I worked with the Special Olympics program and also taught a Bible class to mentally challenged adults.
In January 1986, I traveled to Kenya for 15 days on a construction good will team laying a foundation for a farm project during 14 to 16 hour days.
Joining the Virginia Beach Highway Department, I was involved with the public information office photographing projects for the city paper, The Beam.
In 2007, I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the Chaplain Academy, and I have served going on my 11th year as a police chaplain, with roughly 200 calls for service.
I also am serving in a double role with the police department as an auto aide.
I have lost track of the hours served, but it may be close to 9,000.
Also, I have been involved in other projects, such as disaster relief, feeding the homeless with the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center, Habitat for Humanity and some I have forgotten.
In my 81 years, I feel I have helped make the community a little better and brought a few smiles into the lives of some hurting people.
Instead of wrestling with the darkness, light a candle.
Hipple, who lives in Kempsville, is a police chaplain and a volunteer auto aide assigned to the Fourth Precinct.
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