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Bill Morris (left), named Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida Volunteer of the Year, with Nicco Palmero, regional director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Spend just a few minutes with Bill Morris, and two things become clear: he’s not from around here, and he cares deeply about giving back, especially through working with children.
Last week, his efforts were recognized when he was named 2023 “Volunteer of the Year” by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, having been selected from over 100 volunteers and 40 club branches.
Alex Lindsay, the director of the St. Cloud Boys and Girls Club, said, “Bill is here when you need him, he does what is asked of him, and he exceeds the measurable outcomes of a volunteer daily. But one of the daily positive impacts that Bill has, and maybe he doesn’t know, is the youth love his ‘loyalty’ to and with them. Bill gives everyone a sense of belonging and importance. He is liked, loved, and admired.”
In his thick Boston accent, Morris shared, “I have been an incredibly blessed person in that I’ve had so many good people in my life that supported me, and I think when you have that, you don’t ever feel like you’ve done enough to give back. I came from a pretty broken family with a lot of dysfunction, and having these people— whether when I was young at the Boys and Girls Club or when I was in my early teens at summer camp—it really made a difference. I knew at a young age that if I was going to make it, I would need help. I can never repay what has been given to me.”
But he has spent his life trying to do just that. He had a 42-year career working with children, first as a camp counselor, then camp director, then as a special education teacher, and then as an assistant principal. He and his wife moved to St. Cloud in 2022, and it didn’t take long for him to find a place to use his big heart to help others.
Morris, said of volunteering at the St. Cloud Boys & Girls Club, “When I first came, I thought ‘I can do this and I can do that,’ but what I’ve found is it’s just being there, whether it’s playing a game of Connect-4 or teaching somebody to play chess or being outside and shooting baskets. Just being present is the biggest thing. Sometimes, for some kids, it’s not aways the case that they have adults consistently present. When we’re present, they feel like somebody cares and knows them.”
Morris said his first contact with mentors and positive role models was at the Charlestown Boys & Girls Club as well as the East Boston Camps. One of those mentors was John Forbes, who was the camp director when 14-year-old Morris attended.
“I have been fortunate to watch Bill progress through his career and become a wonderful husband and father,” he said. “He has dedicated his life to improving the lives of the children in East Boston, Goffstown (N.H.) and now Central Florida. I think several things make Bill an ideal volunteer. First is his character. He is selfless, highly principled, kind, and committed. He is a tremendous role model. Second, he has a great rapport with the kids he interacts with. They genuinely like and respect him. He maintains contact to this day with many former campers and students. He has positively impacted many lives. Third, he has so much life experience to offer the children, but more importantly the staff. Finally, and most important, he cares!”
“Our impact on others is scary, because we can equally damage someone as we can change their lives for the better,” Morris summed up. “All along you keep looking for ways to be of service and to keep doing good.”
