Dorothy Hilbert Award Winner Announced
Fay Gregory named as recipient
July 22, 2017 - Fay Gregory has been a valuable resource at Boeing Plaza since before it was called Boeing Plaza, and is now the latest recipient of the Dorothy Hilbert Award. The Hilbert Award is given to a female volunteer who exhibits the passion, dedication, and devotion for volunteerism that Dorothy presented throughout her life and time spent at EAA AirVenture.
“I’m thrilled and so very honored,” Fay said. “The west ramp crew has become family over the years. It brings such joy to see and work with these wonderful and dedicated volunteers.”
Fay has volunteered at AirVenture for more than 30 years, and has been at Boeing Plaza since Tom Poberezny asked her and her late husband, Marion, to oversee the area.
The volunteer crew there grew from six volunteers in the late 1980s who didn’t have radios or golf carts, and worked out of a borrowed motor home, into today’s group of more than 100 volunteers outfitted with everything they need, mostly thanks to Fay.
Helping to build up any part of Oshkosh is a big deal, but to play such a role in the evolution of Boeing Plaza is a huge deal. This year, the plaza will house Blue Origin, a plethora of bombers including a B-52 Stratofortress, a B-1 Lancer, and a B-2 Spirit, among other incredible aircraft.
Fay, in addition to everything she’s done individually, has contributed by bringing many other volunteers into the fold, both in Boeing Plaza and across the grounds. Fay’s granddaughter is a volunteer photographer for Warbirds judges, showing that volunteerism can run in the family.
After hearing the way Fay talks about how important volunteers are, no wonder why so many enjoy coming back to work with her year after year.
“Every volunteer is a piece of a huge puzzle that when put together becomes a beautiful work of art,” Fay said. “It is truly fascinating to watch everyone do their part to make it look like a well-oiled machine in motion. Once you become part of it, you’re hooked. It becomes an obsession, a passion.”
Fay will officially receive the Dorothy Hilbert Award today at 3 p.m. in the Volunteer Park.
