Last modified: Sunday, March 18, 2007 11:15 PM EDT Dot Embree has a great view from her office. (Staff photo by Mike George) Simply 'Dot' BY JAMES A. MEROLLA SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTH ATTLEBORO - They call her "Dot." That's also a mark of punctuation. Dorothy "Dot" Embree has put her mark of punctuation on a lot of organizations, helping the homeless and hungry, children, the mentally and physically challenged, wherever she can, for most of her life. Among other things, Embree, 62, is or has been: executive director of the Attleboro Area Council of Churches, president of the Attleboro Area Homeless Coalition, the first-ever woman to manage a Goodyear franchise, a residential home counselor and respite worker, CEO and business manager of a computer company, served on the Governor's Council for High Schools, a director on numerous boards, a lifetime member and former commander of a Disabled American Veterans auxiliary and, as a member of Central Congregational Church in Attleboro Falls, has served as a church trustee, mission committee member, and Sunday school teacher before assuming her current position as Sunday school superintendent. While volunteering in the nearby Walpole school system, the North Attleboro resident designed, developed and taught the "What's It Like?" program which allowed third grade children to experience blindness, deafness, physical disabilities and mental retardation through various projects. She has received the Distinguished Service Award from Project Bread in Boston for her work with the hungry, been recognized by Women of Today for outstanding service to the community and, in 2002, received the Plainville and North Attleboro Rotary Club's Distinguished Service Award for her work with the homeless and hungry. She has been nominated by the Attleboro Area Chamber of Commerce for this year's ATHENA Award. SUN CHRONICLE: Was there ever a time you didn't volunteer? DOT EMBREE: Yes. SUN CHRONICLE: When? DOT EMBREE: I came home in 1968 as a single mom with one child and I had to go to work immediately. I took a job with a Goodyear franchise at the time in Norwood and had a business of my own. I had to provide for my son. In those days, there weren't the services available as there today are for single parents. SUN CHRONICLE: When did the volunteering start? DOT EMBREE: I remarried. I was still a workaholic. But suddenly, much to my surprise, we were told that I was pregnant. About seven weeks later, I gave birth to a 2-pound, 13-ounce baby girl. That was 1977. Thus, ended my business career. I stayed at home and I just thought I could do something for others. I started in schools. SUN CHRONICLE: In Walpole schools, you developed the "What's It Like" program which taught third graders to experience disabilities. How did the kids react? DOT EMBREE: It was a great program. By the end of the eight-week course, I feel so strongly that children did, in fact, learn to accept others who were different than they. SUN CHRONICLE: Some people are advocates for the homeless, but you drive them around, take them to doctors. You're in the trenches. What have you seen around this city that people just don't know? DOT EMBREE: When I started working with the homeless three years ago, indeed THEY were living in the trenches, living in alleyways, behind the parking garage, living in tents. Behind Seabra was Tent City. I learned three years ago, when I started, that they are human beings. Educated. Some with master's degrees. One with a Phd. I just accepted them as who they were. They carry a lot of baggage with them. It's hard for them to trust. I've been hurt, personally. Sometimes, people who work with the homeless feel they are not getting through, they are not reaching them, but then, they give you a smile or a hug. If you can just help one of them, it's great. SUN CHRONICLE: What's the worst thing that happened in this work? DOT EMBREE: I had one die in my arms in the ICU. Tom. I think that changed me quite a bit. Here was a gentleman who had been on the streets. He got off the streets, was ill, and then died eight months after he got off the streets. In doing his eulogy, my feeling was, what we do in this office is a struggle, but we are helping. SUN CHRONICLE: You've had your own health issues. Why do you find the time for all of these councils, coalitions and boards? DOT EMBREE: A year ago, when I suddenly was rushed into Boston Medical to undergo quadruple bypass surgery, I just realized there were things that still needed to be done when I got better. I collapse at night (smiles). SUN CHRONICLE: What has been the most satisfying aspect of your life? DOT EMBREE: My family is very important to me. I'm so proud of my children and my grandchildren. I don't have too much time to relax, but I go to my grandson's baseball and soccer games, my granddaughter's gymnastics and her softball games. That's where I can unwind. I have a very understanding husband whose always been behind everything I do. SUN CHRONICLE: Is the city winning the war on the homeless and the hungry? DOT EMBREE: Sue Smith and Steve Wright, case managers at Homes With Heart, are doing a tremendous job. Sometimes, you don't think you're winning the war, but as far as I know, no one is living in tents in Attleboro. JAMES A. MEROLLA can be reached at 508-236-0431 or at jmerolla@thesunchronicle.com.