Congratulations to Joseph Hubbard, who retired on Dec. 31 from Catholic Urban Programs after starting the program 40 years ago. Gerald "Gerry" Hastentaub is the new director.

Many people attended an open house for Hubbard on Feb. 15 at the Clyde Jordan Senior Citizens Building in East St. Louis. I was lucky to use the microphone and said how much Hubbard had helped my brother, Russell Krause and our R.J. Krause All-Stars and their families throughout the years. Joe has helped me with food, clothing, shelter, Christmas baskets, Santa Claus bus, soup bus (mobile kitchen), St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, Cosgrove's "Soup" Kitchen, utility bills, transportation and funerals.

Even though Joe is retired from CUP, he still is working with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and is in charge of the four Catholic cemeteries. I remembered one time when my brother, some All-Stars and I were going in Mount Carmel Cemetery in Belleville to show the kids where our parents are buried. Joe saw us and I told him that we were going to the Blessed Sacrament Church picnic afterward. Joe went into his wallet and gave me a donation for the All-Stars for the picnic.

I was also proud when Joe gave me a plaque for being "The Volunteer of the Year" in 1998.

Recently we heard a lot about Stan "The Man" Musial. Our Joseph Hubbard is also "The Man."

Richard "R.J." Krause

East St. Louis