Chip Gernhard, Creswell Superstar of the Month. ERIN TIERNEY/THE CRESWELL CHRONICLE
Editor’s note: Each month, The Chronicle and our friends at The Flower Basket & Gift Boutique will ask readers to choose someone in the community – young or old – that they feel makes Creswell shine. The Chronicle will then choose a ”superstar” based on those nominations and will surprise one of our local ”bleeding hearts” with a special gift.
Whether you’re an employee of Creslane Elementary or a student at the school, you’ve probably been lucky enough to encounter Chip Gernhardt bustling along in the cafeteria.
What you may not know is that Gernhardt is a volunteer at the school and has been dedicating his time helping out in the kitchen and cafeteria ever since 2005. That’s a long time volunteering, and his coworkers all praise him for a job well done over the years.
Because of his selfless dedication to volunteerism, The Chronicle and The Flower Basket are thrilled to showcase Chip Gernhardt as Creswell’s Superstar for the month of June. Gernhardt comes to volunteer at Creslane every single day, Monday through Friday – rain or shine, by way of bicycle. Now that’s some serious dedication.
His nominators said Gernhardt is such a valuable asset to the daily tasks of running the Creslane kitchen. He also assists with some custodial tasks, helps hang up signs and helps keep the kiddos in line. They said Gernhardt is willing to do anything that is asked of him, and is always pleasant and eager to assist. He helps to pick up and move tables, clean up spilled milk – for pretty much anything that is needed, Gernhardt’s their go-to guy.
He’s quite the jokester, his nominators said, and even the kids have come to know and love Gernhardt.
Aside from volunteering, Gernhardt is also an actor. You may remember him from previous performances at the Opal Center for Arts and Education in Cottage Grove. He will soon be rehearsing for a circus-themed production coming up in September, where he will play a lion tamer.
His parents say Gernhardt is a superstar every day of the week and is especially helpful around the house, helping to chop wood and whatever odd jobs need done.
Thanks for being you, Chip!
Nominate a Superstar
Help The Chronicle spread happy news and give our local superstars the respect and appreciation they so richly deserve! If you know someone who makes Creswell shine – young or old – make a nomination! Please email the name of your nominee, as well as your reasons why this person is a superstar to Erin Tierney at [email protected]