Wednesday, September 4, 2002

Volunteers keep Samaritans working

By JANET McGREGOR
snippets@bellsouth.net

Lena Slaughter was born and brought up in North Carolina. She went to nursing school in Ashville, then to Ocala, Fla., to work. After a while, the lure of home called and she moved back to North Carolina.

She met a "nice, red-headed fellow" who grew on her, and the pair dated and eventually married. His job brought the couple to Georgia. He worked with Ford Motor Company in the Traffic Department. She continued working as a nurse until the constant on-call status became too much.

She took a five-day-a-week job with a doctor's office, where she continued to work until her first-born daughter got too old to sleep through most of the day. She had been able to bring her daughter to work with her. Not wanting to put her in day care, she went on an as-needed basis with the doctor's office, coming in when someone was on vacation or ill.

She continued this arrangement through the birth of her second daughter and until the office closed. Two doctors passed away and the other retired.

Lena heard about the Fayette Samaritans through her church. A lady in her Sunday school class took up a collection once a month for a man she became aware of through her work with the Samaritans. He was dying from cancer and she and others were doing what they could to help. She kept telling Lena she ought to come volunteer; she finally did and, ten years later, she still is.

Lena is one of a number of "interviewers" and she also serves on the board for the Samaritans. Each of the 35 ­ 40 churches that regularly support the Samaritans is represented by two church members on the board.

Janet and Roger Duncan have been volunteering for a little over a year. Janet is a retired nurse; Roger retired from the military, then worked for about four years at Flat Creek Country Club. Roger is an avid golfer and bowler, both are avid volunteers.

Roger is "just getting my wife (Janet) into bowling," he said. "I'm glad to be able to do some charitable work and help those in need. There are a lot who are in need."

Roger, who had a serious brush with cancer about 18 months ago, says, "The Lord is taking care of me. My cancer is gone and I'm very thankful." He, along with many others who volunteer, get much out of giving of their time and efforts.

Roger's domain is the Food Pantry. He started by bringing groceries to the Samaritans from his church, St. Andrew's in the Pines in Peachtree City. Now he volunteers regularly every Thursday at the charity, and often helps on Friday or Saturday if they need more help. He puts food away, pulls the food for the clients and does other "chores" if needed.

James Gulley has been volunteering for more than nine years. He had called the United Way asking if he could help somewhere. They suggested the Fayette Samaritans. Gulley worked for General Motors until a heart problem forced him to stop. He volunteers two days a week, other days as needed.

"I actually like this better than work," he said. "I enjoy helping people."

Josephine Holland, 80, says she is probably the oldest volunteer. She has been volunteering for three years on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She had worked in the Alzheimer's Clinic at Christian City prior to the Samaritans.

"It's good for me to come, to meet people," she said. "When they go home happy, the day is good."

Holland is from Holland. She smiles when she shares her ancestry, saying yes, her last name actually is Holland. She speaks with a slight accent and adds a smile to every statement she makes. She is full of wisdom, and shares it easily. She is quick to say they need a bigger building ­ the clothes pantry where she works is crowded. Indeed it is. Every spare spot has a piece of clothing crammed into it, most neatly lined up on hangers.

She saw an ad in the newspaper for a yard sale being held to benefit the Samaritans. The lady at the end of her street volunteered, so she gave it a try.

"I've always worked," he said "It's good for you when you keep busy."

She pairs up on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the clothes closet with Sarah Krilla. Krilla has been volunteering her time for 11 months. She heard about the Samaritans at her church.

Living just behind the temporary home for the charity makes volunteering just a little easier. The camaraderie she enjoys with the other volunteers makes it very easy to look forward to coming to "work."

"Life is not about money, it's the little things that make people happy. It feels so good to help. No matter what you are going through, when you're here, you forget about it," Krill stated.

Holland and Krilla told of a few cases that frustrated them.

One gentleman came in who had cardboard in his shoes and his toes were hanging out the front of the. They were unable to find shoes to fit his large feet. In another instance, a homeless man came in wanting to exchange the clothes he was wearing for clean ones. He was tall and they were unable to find the right sizes.

More often than not, the volunteers are able to help those who walk through the doors. The vast majority have a place to live and are just in temporary need of help.

Putting into words what most Samaritan volunteers said in various ways, Holland said, "We're not here to judge, we're here to help."

Krilla added, "I've volunteered a lot in the past. This place has touched my heart the most."

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