MOUNT VERNON — Joe and Donna Gutridge are spending their golden years giving back.
The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging (AAA5) recently honored the Mount Vernon couple as the Knox County’s 2024 Outstanding Senior Citizens.
In addition to a plaque from the AAA5, the Gutridges also received commendations from Mount Vernon mayor Matt Starr and the Knox County Commissioners, who declared Aug. 7 Joe and Donna Gutridge Day.
“First, we would like to thank our God and Jesus, our Savior, for the opportunity to serve Knox County over the last 58 years,” Joe said while accepting the award.
“Our children, Jerry, Debra, Dianna and Emmy have always helped and supported our efforts, serving over the years. We also thank all of our family and friends and people who have touched our lives.”
Joe and Donna’s story began when the pair meet at a Newark Dairy Queen in 1955. They moved to Knox County in 1966, where they raised four children.
“We celebrated 66 years of a wonderful marriage on Sept. 7 and have worked together on everything,” Joe said.
For more than 20 years, the ran the former House of Carpets store in Mount Vernon, later renamed Carpet Shop.
Joe and Donna have been founding members of the Mount Vernon Lions Club for more than 50 years. Donna currently served as Lions Club president; a role Joe has had multiple times. Both are recipients of the Lions Melvin Jones Award.
Their work with the Lions Club is multifaceted. They volunteer with the Eye Deal Friends of Knox County, supporting those with low vision. They administer school vision tests and help families obtain glasses.
They have chaired numerous community fundraisers, including the Ohio’s Largest Garage and Craft Sale and the Mount Vernon Lions Food Trailer. Their efforts have raised funds for glasses and guide dogs for the blind.
The Gutridges also give back by helping neighbors and friends with transportation to doctor’s appointments. They drive a neighbor to her local food bank.
In 2004, they supported a local visually-impaired woman, Patty Harman, in passing House Bill 369 to protect service animals by driving her to the state capital.
The couple is also civically involved. In 1971, Joe helped found the Apple Valley Property Owners Association.
He served as the activities chair for several years and supported of the transfer of Apple Valley to the property owners. They have also been as poll workers for 22 years.
When asked about their motivation for volunteer work, Joe said it’s how they were raised.
“We grew up in the years of giving back,” he said.
Donna added that the couple gets a lot of joy from what they do.
“We enjoy the people, we enjoy doing vision screenings and just getting to help people,” she said. “We could wind up the same way someday and need help.”
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