Retired St. Charles couple keeps on giving

You won't find retirees Dudley and Judy Burgess spending their days rusting away in a rocking chair.

The St. Charles duo, both 74, are too busy.

Judy's to-do list includes planning a special Advent worship service next month for their church, Geneva United Methodist. There are also fundraisers she organizes with Friends of TriCity Family Services (she started the Friends.) TriCity provides mental-health aid and counseling.

And helping for Safe Haven, a Chicago organization for women.

And donning an apron to bus tables and schmooze with guests at the church's monthly, free "Third Tuesday Suppers." (She used to be in charge of the 24-foot dessert table). Dudley also works at the suppers, dishing up the food ("I used to be the head server," he said, drawing protest from his wife.)

"They are fabulous. Too bad he is not in costume tonight," said Jae Donovan, a co-leader of the Third Tuesday Suppers. Dudley used to dress to match the theme of the dinners.

That's because the Burgesses just sold all his costumes. They are downsizing, moving next month to a smaller home in Mill Creek.

For the past seven years, he has accompanied at-risk youth on TriCity's "Wilderness Challenge" trips to the Boundary Waters area of Minnesota.

He's helped build an orphanage in Haiti, and worked on people's homes for the Appalachian Service Project. He is also a Court-Appointed Special Advocate for children in family-court cases in Kane County. He helped rehabilitate the church 16 years ago.

So, "just about every day, in some fashion," they are doing something to help other people, Dudley said.

Why volunteer?

"I think you have to make a difference in the world," Judy said. Years ago, she figured out, "I do not want to just be taking up space on this Earth."

She had the time, as a stay-at-home-mom, to begin with activities for their children's schools.

Dudley picked up the pace after retiring from AT&T.

Helping young people is his specialty, he said.

Their own children "know this is what gives meaning to our lives," he said.