Pay It Forward: Carl Carlson of Wetumpka
Carl Carlson is 93 years old. He volunteers at the Elmore County food pantry just about every day.
Sections
Secondary Menu
WAKA Action 8 News
by Ellis Eskew
Anchor/Reporter
Ellis Eskew joined WAKA in October 2012. She anchors Action 8 News at 11:00AM, Noon, 5:00 & 5:30PM.
With nearly 20 years of experience in the TV news business, Ellis has held many different jobs both in front of and behind the camera.
She got her start in TV in her hometown of Dalton, Georgia. From there, she went on to report for stations in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Huntsville, Alabama, where she was anchor/producer for the FOX affiliate.
Ellis graduated from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia, with a degree in Mass Communications/Broadcast Journalism. Her senior year, she interned at CNN in Atlanta.
Ellis has received several awards for her work, including “Best News Anchor” from the Alabama Broadcasters Association. She competed against news anchors from all across the state, regardless of market size, to win this recognition.
Ellis says one of her most memorable stories includes getting to travel with 100 World War II veterans to Washington, DC to see the war memorials. It was called Honor Flight. Telling the amazing stories of these brave men and women was an honor for Ellis, and she believes they truly are “The Greatest Generation.”
Ellis also got the opportunity to fly in a CH-47 Chinook helicopter with the Georgia National Guard Armory to cover their training in Fort Stewart.
When she is not reporting the latest news, Ellis enjoys traveling, working with children, drawing and painting and being active in her church and community.
Carl Carlson is 93 years old. He volunteers at the Elmore County food pantry just about every day.
Barbara Anderson is the director of the senior ministry at her church of New Home Baptist. She's always taking the seniors on trips, out to eat, and frequently takes them to the nursing…
Melodie Trammell works fulltime at the Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama helping cancer patients get the care they need.
Dwayne Richardson wears many hats from cleaning up his neighborhood by mowing the grass and landscaping to being the "go to" handyman.
Tracey Mason is always working and volunteering her time at the Tail's End Thrift Store that helps to raise funds for the Humane Society of Elmore County.
Jeff Johnson, or "Coach Jeff" as he's more affectionately known, has been coaching and helping young men in the Montgomery area get college scholarships since 2012.
Pat Coots volunteers his time to help out at his church whether it's driving a church bus or sweeping the floors.
Charles Smith is a retired math teacher who has returned to teaching for the state to help students improve their ACT scores. He has implemented math labs in most of the high schools in Montgomery. "I nominated him because everything…
Bernard Pace of Tuskegee is a trained food service worker. He spent 23 years in the Army as a cook and supervisor. Now he uses his skills to help his church.
David Brunson has been a volunteer firefighter for 25 years. He retired with the Elmore County EMA after 17 years. But he continues to serve others.