Richie Bakove

Jefferson Award winners include, from left, Richie Bakove, who, helps others despite his own illnesses; Estela Rosas for her work at the Food Bank of the Rockies; and Bill Johnson, who continued his work with children after retiring from teaching in 1992.
...
There sat three radiant people: Estela Rosas, Richie Bakove and Bill Johnson.
...
Richie Bakove is "truly one of God's angels here on earth," Connie Crowley wrote in her nominating letter.
...
But you should meet Richie.
...
Bakove told me he feels "a real need to give back for the blessings that I have."

He started volunteering as a Little League coach in the late '60s and today works at the Hospice of St. John comforting the terminally ill.

Bakove has raised money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, helped at Children's Hospital, assisted victims of the Columbine High School tragedy and now takes the dying on field trips.

"I feel like I was chosen to volunteer at Hospice of St. John," he told me. "The atmosphere is wonderful.Supportive, caring and loving."

"We're about living, not dying at the Hospice of St. John," he said."I've gotten back way more than I give."

Bakove takes patients to sporting events and on outings.He even took one 77-year-old woman to her first circus.

Bakove could have been satisfied just to have survived all his own illnesses.But he has used his indomitable spirit to help others find happiness.In so doing, he sure seems to have found it for himself, too.