By Paul Kalomiris

Lauded for her undying volunteer efforts, particularly with minority youth, this year's recipient of the Axel Carlson Award reflected on a childhood incident that changed her outlook on life.

Lucille Blakeney of Jamestown remembered a moment when she was 5 or 6 years old and had an argument with her sister.  Responding to her sister she said, "I don't care."

Walking past the room, Mrs. Blakeney's father heard this statement.

"As long as you live, I never want to hear you say, 'I don't care.'"

"From that day on," she told a gathering in the lobby of City Hall, "I do care…Whatever the situation, I care.  And this is what keeps me going."

Mrs. Blakeney was honored Friday for giving of herself without expecting anything in return.  In fact, her list of volunteer efforts is so long, those who introduced her during the ceremony did not name all of them.

Mrs. Blakeney's volunteer work has often focused on education.  She has sought to keep minority students in school, and when she finds they are not, she tries meeting with their parents to discuss the problem.

For the past seven years, Mrs. Blakeney has gone to Jamestown High School quarterly to sit and talk with these students.

Above this, she has volunteered with the Health Systems Agency, Cancer Fund drives, Meals on Wheels and the American Lung Association, to name just a few.

Within the community, she is active in the Charisma Club, furthering activities of minority clubs and especially sponsoring scholarships.

"If I can help somebody along the way, my living is not in vain," Mrs. Blakeney said, adding unselfishly that whatever accolades she receives, everyone receives.

"I will never, never, never forget this day," she also said.  "I've had an extraordinary life, but I think this tops them all."

Among those who rose up to speak about Mrs. Blakeney was her nephew, Alex Matthews.  A member of the Pittsburgh City Board of Education, he told the crowd of the backwards ABC's his aunt taught him.

Matthews said this exercise follows conceiving a dream, believing in it and achieving it.

Mrs. Blakeney is a veteran of World War II, having served in the Air Force.  She also served as an election inspector and campaign manager for Stan Lundine's race for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Presented by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, the Axel Carlson Award is named for a Swedish immigrant who settled in the Southern Tier and who worked behind the scenes to better the lives of others.