James Hitchcock 2016 Candidate for United Way Mardi Gras King
This week’s story is about James Hitchcock who is vying for Mardi Gras King in the contest conducted by our local United Way of Calvert. I have never met James, but I am told he is a very interesting gent and his story should make for a great read! James is a young man who owns Hitchcock Autoworks and Custom Exhaust in Owings. When not pursuing his passion for working on cars, he also has a rock band I am told. I will need to follow up and learn a little more about these pursuits later, but my purpose here today is to talk a little about his volunteer efforts and how he came to be involved in this year’s Mardi Gras King competition.
James has lived here in Calvert County for sixteen years. His family moved here to help with the founding of the Calvert Community Church. He spent much of his early life aboard Andrew Air Force Base during his late father’s military tour of duty in the early 80’s. When his dad left the service to start a career in computer sales, the family moved to the town of Upper Marlboro. In the mid 90’s, he graduated from high school and spent one semester in college. It didn’t take long for James to realize that college was not for him. Earlier on he realized sitting in class for four more years of formal schooling was not in the cards for him so he decided he wanted to pursue work that involved automobiles. He was always a “car guy” at heart so he decided then that would become his life’s work. I found it interesting that he spent most of his first semester fixing cars for the other students that lived in his dorm! I always thought it’s a great thing when folks learn early in their lives where their hearts are and what they desire to do with their talents. Not everyone is able to make these decisions before finding themselves trapped in occupations that lack excitement or challenges.
I asked James about this desire to help others. He states “he can’t remember ever not being involved in helping people. It’s part of who I am and what I do”. This is his first year in getting involved with our United Way organization. He enjoys helping folks in any way he can and this is simply one of those ways. I also asked him if he is obtaining a lot of support for these efforts and he tells me “there are a few diehards who are helping him with what he does, “but yes, it is a hard field to sow”. James I am with you as I have been sowing fields for years and sometimes the fields grow abundantly, and sometimes they barely bear fruit. But, you just need to keep at it and you need a good group to help you achieve any success.
Fortunately, most of his close friends and especially his family are behind him in his quest to become “King”! He tells me tells me “they are supportive of anything I do”. He stated very firmly that “he has never been much of a follower. I am a doer”! His wife Holly is by his side through thick and thin and without her he would not be able to have accomplished even a fraction of the goals he has set out to achieve. He is the father of two beautiful children and 3 more beautiful stepchildren. He states his wife is the rock and the foundation of his life.
I then asked James for his plans for his campaign and he says he has plans for a few fundraisers that will be dedicated to bringing awareness and support of the United Way. Not only will any support he can derive be greatly appreciate, but his and the other efforts are completely necessary. And, he states, “no one can do it alone”! How right you are James! I can tell you that over the past 25 years, my accomplishments happened due entirely to my group known as “Spiggy’s Friends”, a collection of super people, most of whom stuck with me in many types of fund raising activities. There is no way I could have achieved anything without their great help!
Finally, I gave James an opportunity to state anything else he would like the readers to know about him and his efforts with this year’s program. He would like you to know that he is a “go getter”. He appreciates any help and support he may be given. He works hard to make sure others are taken care of. He understands the need for a good work ethic and knows if you want something, you must go out and earn it! Success is accomplished, not gifted. He is happy to be given a chance to bring positive awareness for a great cause during this time of so much negativity and desensitization within our modern society. He finishes his thoughts with the fact we are not promised today, but need to not take for granted the time we have been given. We need “to make a change for the better, not for the worse”.
James you have put your thoughts to good use. I admire your ability to state your feelings and beliefs. I think you have the perfect disposition for this task at hand and I wish you much luck in this adventure. I hope you gather lots of votes and keep me advised of your plans for your upcoming fundraisers!
All the Best! Your newest fan! Spiggy
Dave Spigler resides in Lusby and has been a resident of Calvert County since 1979. He has been recognized many times for his years of community service. He received the “Calvert You Are Beautiful Award” for 2013 and recognized by the Knights of Columbus as the “Maryland Citizen of the Year” in 2011. He was a member of the HOGETTES, the Washington Redskins “Biggest Fans” for 22 years. If you know of an unsung citizen of Calvert County, please contact Dave at spiggy@erols.com.