At a special dinner in March, CrossRoads Financial FCU Mortgage & Consumer Loan Officer Donald Gillespie was named Citizen of the Year by the Jay County Chamber of Commerce.
His patriotic community contributions are well-known in Jay County and nationwide through his work as the National Runner’s Coordinator for the first National America’s Run for The Fallen in 2018. The 120-day run took place in the spring of 2018. The route began at Fort Irwin in California and ended at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, covering 19 states, including Indiana. Names of 20,000 Fallen Heroes were read and honored along the route. Gillespie spent over 1,000 hours recruiting and coordinating with runners, Gold Star families, and others in addition to being a participating runner in Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Virginia. On the final day of the America’s Run, he helped organize a 6K run for Gold Star Families and others waiting on the Core Runners to finish the National Run at the Gates of Arlington.
As a more local memorial, he organized a 9/11 5K Run, 3K Walk in Portland, Ind. The run/walk had over 60 participants in its first year, and he was able to present Honor and Sacrifice Flags to Portland Police, Jay County Sheriff, Portland Fire Department, and Jay Emergency Management Services.
In addition, he serves as Portland City Court Judge and will run for a third term later this year. He also serves as an advisor and mentor to the CrossRoads Financial FCU Youth Advisory Board.
Gillespie (second from left) is shown with other award winners after the ceremony.
Donald Gillespie, CrossRoads Financial FCU makes acceptance remarks at the awards ceremony.