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Wednesday, November 1, 2000 Seniors helping seniors volunteers in Fayette By
JANET McGREGOR Attempting to mention the names of all the volunteers in Fayette County would be an impossible task. The list would be longer than the list of names in the local phone book given the number of family members involved in community activism. Those reading the Prime Timer pages over the past years have read profiles of many others who give generously in the community. Annie McMenamin is a long time Kiwanian and was instrumental in starting The Gathering Place. Carol Stallings, profiled last month, is well known for her efforts in the community. Andy Carden, Director of Fayette Senior Services, is involved in so many organizations and charities we couldn't begin to note them all in his profile. Jim Steinbach is active in his church, serves on many appointed and volunteer committees, is actively working with Fayette Senior Services to build the new Senior Center and is active in local political campaigns. The following articles briefly highlight a few Fayette County seniors who have not yet been profiled. You may see longer profiles of these giving people in upcoming Prime Timer pages.
Pick almost any day of the year and you'll find a charitable event of some sort going on in Fayette County. The county has a reputation as one that gives, ranking as one of the highest in the metro Atlanta area in charitable donations. Seniors are a major component of the volunteer force in the county. They give their time and their money for causes as wide-ranging as the American Heart Association, Fayette Senior Services, the New Neighbors League and the Fayette Council on Domestic Abuse. Seniors volunteer to help at Fayette Community Hospital through the Auxiliary. They take meal to shut-ins as part of the Meals On Wheels program. They act as mentors to students in the local schools. They organize fund raisers, teach classes, coordinate self-help groups and man the cash registers for local thrift shops that donate proceeds to charities, like The Clothes Less Traveled in Peachtree City. Service organizations like the Kiwanis, Rotary Club and Civitans depend heavily upon the older members those who are either retired or who have reached a place in their field of business that allows them the flexibility to give of their time and finances. Seniors volunteer to read stories, fix hair, teach crafts and host parties at area nursing homes. Some, like Fayette County Commissioner Harold Bost, fly ambulatory patients who cannot afford the cost of travel to medical facilities for diagnosis and treatment. Bost donates his time, aircraft and fuel to make air transportation service totally free of charge for qualifying patients. These volunteers come from many walks of life and give in many different ways. Rosemary Beebe, who owns her own Realty company, is active in the Metro Fayette Kiwanis and is organizing a team for the American Heart Association's 2000 Heart Walk. Ron Duffy, President and CEO of Peachtree National Bank, is well known for his support of local organizations and charities. He has walked in the Heart Walk, served on the boards of a wide variety of charities, helped to raise money for almost every charity imaginable and encourages bank employees to be active also. Norma Johnson with Peachtree National Bank coordinates the annual Cancer Society Relay for Life with the support of the bank. She donates uncountable hours to make the annual event a success. J. D. Holmes, owner of Gold's Gym organizes charitable events through his two gyms. For two years the employees at the gyms have coordinated a golf tournament benefiting the American Heart Association, and raised funds in other ways. The gyms have supported the Children's Wish Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the Arthritis Foundation, local schools and numerous other charities with fund-raising activities. Many, if not most, who give are rarely recognized for their generosity, nor do they seek recognition. They donate their time because they feel the need to give back to the community. Some say they have always been inclined to help those less fortunate. Others, like Vicki Turner with AIS Computers, say it's in their blood. Quite a few have been touched personally by illness or tragedy and choose to get involved after their ordeal. Whatever the reason may be that seniors choose to give and no matter what the cause, Fayette County is lucky to have so many who are willing to share their talents, money and time.
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