“I realized early on that kids need sports and they need activities that elevate their social skills and self esteem,” said Adams, the father of six. He calls the east Columbus, KrummPark area, home to 4,400 residents, “a jewel with lots of greenery and key institutions.”

Take a tour around the east Columbus, Krumm Park neighborhood with energetic octogenarian William H. Adams and you will be rubbing sore feet by day’s end. Adams, a consummate volunteer, is devoted to the area bounded by James Road on the east, Nelson Road on the west, I-670 on the north and CSX Rail Road tracks on the south. The neighborhood benefits from his passion.

Adams understands that a clean neighborhood is a safer neighborhood, especially for children. Years ago, he volunteered as a crossing guard at the old East Columbus Elementary School when it was on Rarig Avenue. Now, as chairman of the East Columbus Civic Association Board of Trustees, he has led the group to become an Adopt An Area partner with the city’s Keep Columbus Beautiful program.

The group has adopted Krumm Park, Rarig and 10^th Avenues and the new East Columbus Elementary School, pledging to keep these areas free of litter and debris for two years, holding a minimum of two cleanups each year. The city’s Keep Columbus Beautiful program (KCB), based in the Department of Public service has more than 115 Adopt An Area partners throughout the Columbus area who have made similar commitments.

Adopt An Area work is the most recent example of Adams commitment to the Krumm Park neighborhood. In recognition of his value to the 360-student school, the principal gave him a small office on the first floor of the new building as a base for all of his positive, daily activities.

“He is wonderful. He’s worked with us for 16 years on a voluntary basis. He helps us in so many ways. He works with the students. He works with the parents. He works with the Boy Scouts. He is part of the glue that helps keep us on track,” said Principal Leslie Williams of East Columbus Elementary School.

School Nurse Donica Key said, “He works really well with all of the children, but he is especially effective with our boys. They look up to him and are eager to be around him. I’m happy he’s around here as a roll model for our young men.”

Adams is a member of the East Columbus Parent Teacher Organization and the Community Policing advisory Board of the Columbus Division of Police. He has been a crime resource specialist for East Columbus Elementary and nearby St. Thomas Catholic School.

“I realized early on that kids need sports and they need activities that elevate their social skills and self esteem,” said Adams, the father of six. He calls the east Columbus, Krumm Park area, home to 4,400 residents, “a jewel with lots of greenery and key institutions.”

The real jewel is Bill Adams. One gem of a volunteer!

For more information on the East Columbus, Krumm Park neighborhood organization, e-mail Board Chairman Bill Adams at A2978buster@aol.com. For details on the Keep Columbus Beautiful Adopt An Area program, visit www.keepcolumbusbeautiful.org.