Good Samaritan: George Champlin is just doing what needs doing
Dec. 31—TRAVERSE CITY — Weekday mornings often find George Champlin at the American Legion Post 35, paging through a red notebook.
He flips past paper clips, sticky notes, people's home phone numbers, lists of donation dollar amounts and requests for help — all carefully recorded, since 2015, in Champlin's deliberate handwriting.
"I keep track of everything in here, it's like an encyclopedia," Champlin said, adjusting his cap, the one with "Toys for Tots" embroidered on the brim.
Anyone who tags along with Champlin for a few hours knows him to keep as busy as a Fortune 500 CEO, even though his business card simply says, "Helper."
Champlin is definitely that.
He helps parents make sure they have toys to give to their children at Christmas. He helps store hundreds of American flags so they can be displayed for military veteran or US Coast Guard events and celebrations. He helps make sure bikes get to kids who otherwise might not have one of their own to ride.
Champlin helps on big projects — like construction (and the brick fundraiser) for Veterans Memorial Park on 11th Street. And he helps with smaller tasks — like cutting the grass at Reining Liberty Ranch in Garfield Township.
"George does so much here, he's become part of this place," said riding instructor Pam Kelly, who works with children and youth referred to the ranch's equine program by the local probate court.
"We are lucky to have him," Kelly said, smiling at Champlin as he walks by with Wesley, a miniature horse, on a halter and lead rope.
"The whole community is lucky to have him," she added, once Champlin is out of earshot.
Talk with people who know Champlin, and you come to see how expert he is at connecting people who need things, with people who have things.
"He's definitely the guy for that, and really, for anything," said Michael Roof, director of Grand Traverse County's Veterans Affairs office, when asked about standout volunteers.
On a December afternoon, Champlin agreed to show a reporter and a photographer around Reining Liberty Ranch.
And, he's happy to point out projects completed and funded by others — but try to get Champlin to talk about his own good works, and he can get a little quiet.
"Anyone can do what I do," he said, waving off a reporter's questions.
In a way, he's right.
Anyone probably could have helped install a new bathroom near the ranch's riding arena. Or arranged for sack lunches to be donated for a bus trip to Detroit so area veterans could take in a Tigers baseball game. Or find a good location to store toys donated for the annual Toys for Tots drive.
Anyone could have done all these things, but Champlin did do them.
What Champlin will say, about himself, is how much he respects military veterans, and how his volunteer efforts are a way to show that respect in deeds, not words.
"When I graduated high school in 1973, I had a couple friends who went in the service," Champlin said. "I had long hair. I was kind of a rebel. I'm not a veteran, but I sure do honor those who are."
Back at Post 35, Champlin said he is here, just "doing whatever needs doing," including helping to maintain the building.
He has a lot of experience with that kind of thing, after spending 25 years working for Grand Traverse County's Department of Public Works.
Chaplin retired a decade ago, but not before being named Employee of the Year.
Today, Champlin works part time at Tractor Supply Co., near Chum's Corner, and is a trustee of the Grand Traverse Area Veterans Coalition and of the VFW 2780 Auxiliary.
Champlin closed his red notebook, just as his cell phone rings.
It was a local grocer, calling to say the 800 pounds of chicken for Thursday night's veteran's dinner is ready for pickup.
"I'll be there," Champlin said.
And he will.
