Salvation Army honors businessman
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Editor's note: This is one of a series of Saturday profiles of area residents and their stories. To suggest a profile, contact Features Editor Burton Cole at bcole@tribtoday.com.
WARREN -- In 1992, local businessman Griswold Hurlbert helped the Salvation Army of Trumbull County raise funds for its planned building expansion.
Since then, Hurlbert has never looked back and became involved in the past 27 years in various ways with the organization, including as a member of the advisory board and finance committee.
Hurlbert was recently presented the Lifetime Member Award at the Salvation Army's annual awards and volunteer recognition dinner attended by more than 125 people.
He said what he finds most important is all the Salvation Army does for the community, including not only offering emergency food and utility assistance, but also a mental health drop-in center in conjunction with local mental health agencies and a shower program.
"The drop-in center lets people come in to be with other people. We have people here who help counsel them with what they may be facing," Hurlbert said. "Whether it's a food pantry need or someone who can't pay a utility bill, the Salvation Army is there to help."
Hurlbert was with Bostwick Steel Company in Niles for 27 years from 1964 to 1991 and when it was sold in 1990, he had the job of selling the plant.
"The Salvation Army from 1990 to 1992 was running a building fund to put in a new wing. I volunteered to help make calls in the community to raise funds for that building program. John Taylor was chairman of the committee," he said of the $900,000 building fund campaign.
Through his involvement with the fundraising effort, he and his wife Therese learned more about what the Salvation Army offers to those in the community. Hurlbert said he appreciated all the support he received from his wife.
"She was just as active a volunteer as I was. Together, we found it a very rewarding experience. We both rang the bells at the holidays and wrapped presents at Christmas at the mall," he said.
The Hurlberts attended the Salvation Army national three-day convention and conferences when he served as advisory board chairman.
"We were very impressed at the decisions of all those involved with the Salvation Army. It was very well managed and everyone was careful on how they spent the the money. They are the best buy in charitable giving," he said.
Hurlbert said the conferences explain ways to best meet the needs of the community and also provided fundraising techniques and ideas.
In addition to the Salvation Army, Hurlbert also has been involved as a board member of Trumbull Memorial Hospital and Forum Health, Warren Chamber of Commerce and the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber, Warren Library Association, Trumbull Manufacturing Association and Warren Rotary Club.
Hurlbert began in plant operations at Bostwick Steel and soon the company grew with new plants in Knoxville, Tenn. and Lakeland, Fla. He was appointed president in 1975 and in 1990, the business was purchased by Alabama Metal Industries of Birmingham.
Hurlbert later joined the Routh Company, selling and leasing industrial and commercial properties. Upon Cal Routh's retirement in 2002, Hurlbert started his own brokerage, Routh-Hurlbert-Brokers of Business Real Estate, continuing as broker and owner, which merged recently with Plaza Realty Group.