15 years of dedicated service

While making his last weekly meal delivery to Orange County’s homeless earlier this month, volunteer Dennis Askew knew that the 800 days he had given to the Serving People in Need organization for the last 15 years had been not only worthwhile but also greatly rewarding.

In addition to being honored Thursday at the organization’s annual volunteer luncheon for his final “homeless run,” about a dozen people he had assisted with food, clothing and referrals over the years showed up to offer their gratitude and good wishes.

“Word got around on the street that I was retiring, so a bunch of old-timers showed up to give me some cards and a couple of pats on the back,” Askew said. “These were people I had sheltered, so that made it very nice.”

Jean Wegener, executive director of the Costa Mesa nonprofit, and volunteer coordinator Kim Frazier also expressed their thanks to the longtime volunteer. Askew confessed that he may take up knitting so he can continue his dedication to SPIN by fashioning caps and blankets for distribution.

“There will probably never be another Dennis,” Wegener said. “His outreach to the homeless and the working poor provided them with hope, and his compassion for them — his understanding — is remarkable.”

In his 15 years with the organization, Askew only missed two occasions of his regular Thursday routine. Askew, who gives his age as “53 and feeling free,” has long found gratification in volunteering, which he said is “just the right thing to do.”

Before getting involved with Serving People in Need, he donated his time to the Blind Children’s Learning Center in Santa Ana and the Orange County chapter of the ALS Assn.

He was drawn to that cause after reading a book by Stephen Hawking, the revered physicist who has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Askew, a professional author and poet, acknowledges that his dedication to the area’s homeless population has required some sacrifice — he has not been outside Orange County for more than eight consecutive days in the last 15 years — though he always found inspiration to persevere in the teachings and actions of people like the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

“I’ve gone out there with head colds, diarrhea, a broken arm,” he said. “I know I could be lying on my couch reading E.E. Cummings or C.S. Lewis, but instead I am out on the street because I made a commitment to see this out.

“I have always done well trying to love others.”