Dear Editor,

I was raised in a family who lived by the idea that you helped when you could, no matter what. It had to help that my parents had the proverbial “Army” of children, all well versed in working. I raised my children the same way. My kids all knew that when l said it would only take minutes, it really meant three hours and no one was getting paid. “Volunteers,” they would say, “volunteer”, “I volunteered for you,” I would respond, as I walked away complimenting myself for being such a good partner. I left them behind in Oregon, my smaller army.

I would like to tell all of Hawthorne about my replacement “Army.” I cannot give you their names because I didn’t ask them. They wouldn’t want you to know anyway because they are not in it for the recognition. They are quite simply the sweetest, hardest working, most diligent folks l have met while being home.

We have cleared up a number of properties since I began this job. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of those projects without the help of a small number of people who show up every time they are asked. There is one volunteer who will not stop until she has convinced those we are helping to let us clean up everything, all while becoming their new friend. And she means it.

I have a man who could rival the Grinch with his ability to stack his truck so far past the brim you would think he would never make it to the dump.

He and his beautiful wife show up with not one but two trucks. They use their own tools and gas and they stay until the work is done. Often they will go out on their own seeking those they can help.

The icing on the cake literally, is the wonderful woman who shows up with lunch. This is no ordinary lunch and there is often a lot of icing. I met her in my office when she came in to ask about getting a proper license for cooking in the community. Since then, with her own money, and her desire to help she has cooked for our volunteers in our trusty, some of the best five course meals I have had. Seriously five courses.

This last weekend, however, was the hardest cleanup job so far. The gentleman we have had already done a lot of work to get us ready for the big push.. however, the job was difficult. I had a plan that a man figured it out as I went along, the usual.. But when it came to the final, figuring out how to pull this monstrosity out of his yard and out to the metal recycling plant, another volunteer just showed up out of the blue, with a chain, and an ingenuity and willingness. 20 minutes after he got there, we were on our way to the recycling. I left there, so amazed by the work all of these folks brought to the table. They allowed me to offer community service that I could not otherwise do. They breathe. Go wherever they go and I’d like them to know that they’re simple acts of generosity mean so very, not just to me, but to all those folks who were able to help. So, for all of you, your laughter and your talent, I say “Thank you for everything.

Stephanie Flow

Hawthorne