“You can accomplish much if you don't care who gets the credit.” — President Ronald Reagan



As I wrapped up my interview this past week, it ended with a minor disagreement.

Harold, “Did I ever tell you about our honeymoon in Gatlingburg when she forgot her suitcase?”

Jo, “He forgot to pack it in the car!”

Harold, “I told her, ‘Who needs clothes? We’re on our honeymoon!’”

OK, it was actually their second honeymoon. He was a widower and she a widow both married 45 years previously to other deceased spouses. Oh, and Harold was 68 years old at the time.

Harold Goodlett is a passionate guy. No, I don’t mean just, er, never mind. As his bride now of 10 years told me, “He goes all out when he does anything he believes in.”

Since 2009 Harold has been very passionate about the Red Cross. He has been an enthusiastic volunteer and fundraiser and an invaluable resource for Director Phyllis Wilkins. She first met Harold when he was working with the group that brought the traveling Vietnam Wall Memorial to Charlestown.

 “I observed over and over again how caring and committed he was, tending to the finest details to ensure everything was just the way it should be,” she said. “Over the past few years he has become increasingly more involved in the Humanitarian Gala. He is a true leadership volunteer for the Clark County Chapter of the American Red Cross.”

It doesn’t take very long to talk with Harold to know his passion for politics. If you are not careful he will even spout out one of those Reagan quotes. He probably knows how hard it was for me to type the one accompanying this column. It was his passion that led the lifelong Republican to engage in what will probably become folklore in the history of Charlestown politics with his very public campaign against the current Republican mayor. Or as I will probably refer to it one day when telling the story to my grandkids, “The year Harold Goodlett was a Democrat!”

Harold and Jo Goodlett were both wonderful supporters when Kim and I were involved for four years in helping run the Charlestown marching band of Pirates Boosters.

As Phyllis went on to tell me, “Whether he is wearing his Git-R-Done hat or decked out in his Red Cross shirt, hat and official Red Cross credentials, he is a man of action. I greet him with, ‘There’s Mr. Red Cross!’ And Jo is right there, full of enthusiasm and quiet support. And she never forgets to bring Newman [Phyllis’ dog] a doggie treat. They are quite a team and I love them both. They are not only great assets to the Red Cross and the communities we serve, but they have become treasured friends.”

Harold strongly supports the organization simply because, “I like the agenda; to help people.” When it comes to Phyllis theirs is a mutual admiration society. “She is a terrific leader. She always has a smile for everybody she meets. She’s got a tough job. I wouldn’t want to do it. I think she is a wonderful humanitarian. I love Phyllis.”

There is another cause especially dear to Jo Goodlett. “I am a great Humane Society supporter. Harold always begs me not to ever write another sad animal column because, I don't like it when you make Joann cry.”

One item that Harold and Jo are especially proud of to be auctioned off at this year’s Gala live auction is a Hunger Games poster signed by the movie’s star Jennifer Lawrence. She is a family friend of Harold’s daughter Rita. Last year Jo Goodlett bid $1,000 on the Winter’s Bone poster signed by Jennifer only to be outbid after reaching her limit. When the actress heard the story she sent a signed movie poster to Jo personally wishing her a Happy Birthday that is now proudly framed and hanging in the couple’s den. I don’t usually barter for a column piece but have told Harold he now owes me a personal interview with Jennifer Lawrence upon the release of “Hunger Games 2.” Yeah, that’ll happen when Harold starts quoting Jimmy Carter!

The 2012 Gala will be held at Kye’s on Thursday, Aug. 23, with the social hour beginning at 6 p.m. This year’s honorees will be Chuck Ledbetter Sr. and “Mr. Courthouse” Dickie Jones. Tickets are $75 each with tables still available for sponsorship. Phyllis can be reached by e-mail at Phyllis.wilkins@redcross.org. The phone number is 812-283-8416. The program will include dinner accompanied by a silent and live auction.

Harold wanted to make sure I gave his relative newlywed credit for all of this. “JoAnn and I are a team. I wouldn’t want to do this without her help.”

They are a great couple and I am honored to consider them among my friends. I can only apologize for any mental pictures I left with my column opening. I can’t erase that picture in my mind of Harold Goodlett in a honeymoon suite wearing a Git-R-Done hat in Gatlinburg!

— Lindon Dodd is a freelance writer who can be reached at lindon.dodd@hotmail.com