OPR Volunteers
OPR volunteer profiles.
We thought it might be nice to meet some of the volunteers and their story on how they came to be at Operation Photo Recue.
Meet George Hoover, who kindly
allowed himself to be first.
This photo was taken with George
in front of his Computer Class
display board for OPR..
My interest in Operation Photo Rescue.
My interest in Operation Photo Rescue started on May 13 2008 after reading an article in the San Diego Union Tribune about Jan Neil going to Winona, Minn.
Armed with her camera, along with other volunteers from Operation Photo Rescue, they took digital images of water damaged, moldy and muddy pictures flood victims brought to them.
The article went on to say that the images were posted on the group’s web site gallery where some 600 volunteer members around the world restore them with computer software like Photoshop.
I had been using Photoshop to restore some old family photos and an old shoe box filled with potos from my time in the Airforce in WWII with the 425th Night Fighter Squadron.
My interest in Photoshop started by taking computer classes two hours a day at our local Adult School, after retiring from a job making custom picture frames for 25 years. At the age of 76 I wanted to keep busy doing something.
After reading the article I went to Google and found Operation Photo Rescue’s website and read all about the work they were doing. My thoughts were, ‘I can do that.’ So I sent in an application and heard back from Dave Ellis via email that the OPR co-ordinator would be contacting me. I received an email from Christine explaining the ins and outs as to how the program works.
Since then I have worked with Christine, Jan, Hannie, and Tess. They keep me supplied with work and I love it. With all the stress and unrest in this world I feel I am doing something useful by restoring memories to some of the people with water damage
George E. Hoover
Chula Vista, CA
What a wonderful labor of love George and his fellow OPR volunteers are doing. Not only do they help others restore precious memories, but they have that feeling of fulfillment and the joy of doing a wonderful service for others, and something they enjoy doing. I’ve known George and his lovely wife, Marian, from church for many years, but never knew what their interests were or what selfless, giving folks they are. This world needs more people like George and the OPR workers! Keep up the good work!
George has been a student in my Photoshop course for several years. He has always been meticulous and creative with his projects. Several times he has asked if I had any extra projects he could do. With Operation Photo Rescue, he has really found his niche. I love displaying the results of his work with a “before” and “after” photo. He is truly an inspiration to others.
Congratulations Mr Hoover for that woderfull work that you are doing, I am sure you are giving a lot of people the joy of having old or damage pictures restored.
Thanks for sharing this article with me.
Maria Elena Psr at Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group.
I enjoy seeing your work displayed in our classroom. The work that you do is just wonderful. I’m sure many folks are so happy to have their damaged photos restored.
I have seen George Hoover’s work first hand and he truly loves restoring photos. Pictures of loved ones couldn’t be in better hands than his. He is truly a blessing to us all. Someone behind the scenes that in 20 or 30 years might not be remembered for restoring a particular photo of a loved one, but the photograph will live on because they will be able to be passed on to family and friends and not forgotten. God Bless you George
Kudos to you, George, for the countless hours you donate restoring irreplaceable family photos for the Operation Photo Rescue organization. I’d venture to say there is no other eighty-four year old who possesses the skill and determination to do what you’re doing. I’m sure you would qualify for entry in the Guiness Book of Records!
I’m proud of you!
Your sister Marge