Growing up on Bridge Street in Phoenixville in the 1940s, Donald Coppedge learned early the value of home and family.The youngest of four children, Coppedge said his mother, an active member of her church, stressed the importance of helping out neighbors as well as the community at large.
The lessons have served him - and Phoenixville - well.On Oct. 19 Coppedge was recognized for years of service by the Chester County Community Foundation with a Legacy Award.The award he was given, "Thanks for Caring," no doubt expresses the views of many in the Phoenixville area.
"Don works on so many different levels in the community and has done so many good things," said the Community Foundation President/CEO Karen Simmons.
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The former executive director of the Phoenixville YMCA, Coppedge has also served there as a trustee, board member and active volunteer.He has been involved with many other local organizations, doing including work for the Greater Phoenixville Council of Churches, where he led in the establishment of Social Concerns and Housing committees, and with Phoenixville Homes, an organization that has helped 28 families in northern Chester County become first-time homeowners.
"I guess I know what it's like to grow up without having a lot.We had outside plumbing and I remember times when the electricity would be cut off," Coppedge recalled.
But his mother, Coppedge said, was always had an open-door policy with neighbors in need and was always willing to invite people in and to share what they did have.
"My mother was a tremendous role model.She taught us to love our neighbors and we lived in a very diverse neighborhood with many different cultures.We were the only black family on the street," he noted.
Through the years, Coppedge has mirrored his mother's values through his long career at the YMCA and volunteer efforts.He started at the YMCA as a volunteer teaching kids to swim in 1958 and joined the staff in 1960 as the physical director.
"I'd been in the armed service and when I got out I debated what I wanted to do.I thought about becoming a major league umpire, but I always had in my mind to do community service," Coppedge said.
"At the time, the YMCA needed some help, and I told them I'd give them a year.Well, 30 years later ..." he said with a chuckle.
One of the greatest things about the YMCA, Coppedge said, is that it is a "organization that crosses over all barriers."
"My career in the YMCA helped me become a better man; a better husband, father, civic leader."
Coppedge is quick to give credit to others who helped him in his role at the YMCA.
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Coppedge said his wife of 45 years, Redonia Olivia, and his two grown sons provided invaluable encouragement.
"She has been tremendous," he said of his wife."It was important because I was hardly ever home."
Since his retirement from the YMCA, Coppedge said he has tried to devote more time to the Council of Churches, which involves 21 congregations, the Chester County Housing Authority and Phoenixville Homes.
He is also involved with the Kiwanis Club of Phoenixville, having been an active member since 1970; he is the president of the Phoenixville Area Progressive Club, which is a minority couples organization aimed at providing financial assistance to minority students and the Grimes A.M.E. church, of which he has been an active member for 45 years.
Speaking about his commitment to helping people find affordable housing, Coppedge said, "I'm a firm believer that every family should have the opportunity to own a home.A percentage of people don't have the means, the education or whereabouts to know how to accomplish that.
"If we are indeed our brother's keeper, we should reach out to those people.People talk about doing missionary work, but I say we've got to start missionary work at home."
Coppedge acknowledges the accomplishments of the housing organizations he has worked with, pointing to such projects as the Flag House in Spring City, a 57-unit facility for senior citizen housing and Freedom House in Royersford, an 18-unit building for handicapped individuals.He says he is energized when he sees local organizations working together for a common goal, such as the recent house building blitz organized by Habitat for Humanity and the Chester County Housing Authority.
"We need to share ideas to get the job done," Coppedge said."Everybody has something to give.You may fail at times, but that is when your faith is tested.You can't give up."
For his many contributions, Coppedge was recognized with other philanthropy leaders by the Chester County Community Foundation.
Posted By: Steve Williams
Wednesday, September 16th 2009 at 7:58PM
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