Charles D. Oakes has given back to the Northern Kentucky community for many years, and the Florence Rotary Club is proud to recognize him as its Citizen of the Year. Nominated by Senator John Schickel for the honor, Chuck is described as someone dedicated to serving others while managing his own trucking company and raising a family. In his nomination letter, Senator Schickel wrote, “Anywhere you go in Boone County, you can find someone that will tell you about the positive impact that Charles Oakes had on them.”
Although he didn’t grow up with the physical abilities that most of us take for granted, Chuck has never considered himself a victim. He contracted polio at around 18 months of age, and spent weeks in an iron lung in a hospital in Indiana. He was not expected to live, and the prognosis for having any kind of normal life was grim. A doctor told his mother, “Someone has to make a man out of this child, and not let him be just a crippled young boy.” Henrietta Oakes took the doctor’s advice seriously.
“I thought my mother was the meanest woman on earth,” said Chuck with a laugh. “She made me learn to tie my own shoes and ride a bicycle. Thanks to her, I was able to be just another kid in the neighborhood.”
Continued Chuck, “I realized that if I could do for myself, I could also do for others.” So he became a Big Brother at the age of 18, starting a lifelong commitment to provide recreation and leadership opportunities to young people, especially those with physical and mental challenges.
Upon moving to Kentucky, Chuck started a trucking business, married his wife, Linda, had a daughter, Nicole, and became very involved in the community. For years, he was in charge of the Boone County Girls Softball League. He and Linda worked as volunteers, raising money, coaching, and simply doing whatever needed to be done. Thousands of young girls in Northern Kentucky participated in sports thanks to his involvement.
Chuck has served as one of the primary organizers of the Special Olympics summer softball tournament, and was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award for over 25 years of service.
Chuck’s involvement with the Knights of Columbus included chairing the Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities, popularly known as the “Tootsie Roll Drive.” He’s also helped with the Bean Bash for over 25 years, with proceeds raised benefitting BAWAC, Special Olympics Northern KY, and Redwood Rehabilitation Center.
Chuck’s hobbies include attending Cincinnati Reds games, and collecting Reds memorabilia, especially The Big Red Machine years. He’s also owned shares in racehorses and enjoys watching horse races.
Concluded Chuck, “All my life, I’ve tried to do well for as many people as I could. I know I can always do a little bit more.”
