By Steve Richards
Activity (noun) – the condition in which things are happening or being done.
If activity is a sign of things being done, a lot is happening over at South County Community Services. I had the opportunity to help out with a task that happens a couple of times a year—stuffing mailing envelopes. Not a very glamorous task but helpful nonetheless. More importantly, it gave me a chance to experience many other things happening.
In the morning, pantry volunteers were around organizing shelves and, on this day, a new volunteer was being trained. Being trained up in the pantry involves organizing shelves and letting volunteers know the variety of options available for people that are soon to be visiting. Being a new volunteer is exciting. It’s a great way to meet other people and connect with your community. I strongly encourage everyone to pick an organization you are drawn to and lend a hand. It’s all upside. One of the pantry visitors spoke a mix of Spanish and English and while they were able to be helped successfully it reminded me of one of my objectives to unearth some of my old Spanish learning and make it useful.
As this was happening, Drew was discussing some building logistics with Sheri from Generous Hands. Probably a regular occurrence here in this shared space to get the most out of all the events and programs. As Tamra was reviewing schedules for volunteer drivers and returning a message for a ride needed later that month, Brian, the senior outreach coordinator, was lining up purchases of materials for yet another access ramp for a home in the area. The Safe at Home program, ramp construction, and ride assistance for appointments are among the many things that are offered for our area seniors or those with disabilities.
Other events I noticed were the senior walking group happening on that fantastic paved trail we have nearby that leads out to the Vicksburg recreation area and beyond, as well as Coffee Hour and Chair Yoga at the United Methodist church. Activities with Sherri and the new Senior Center in Vicksburg can be found at https://southcountycs.com/south-county-senior-center/
When I came in the other day there was music playing in a truck in the parking lot—a little strange it seemed but then I saw Joe, one of several volunteers that do maintenance tasks around the building from time to time and he was just finishing working on the front door and enjoying some music at the same time. This core group is another essential part of the activity here—keeping the facility functioning smoothly.
So while activity is a good sign, maybe action is a better word. “The process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim,” according to Webster’s Dictionary. With that in mind, there is a lot of action every day around here, aimed at improving people’s lives in any small, or not so small, way that they can.
This quiet building on Spruce Street is a space shared with Generous Hands and we are blessed to have two excellent directors in Sheri Louis (GH) and Drew Johnson (SCCS) who understand the value of community and cooperation both externally and internally. Sharing the costs of a permanent home, making the best use of space, tapping into each other’s volunteer pool, and just providing general support and encouragement for these two missions is a wonderful example for us all. If you get a chance to meet either of these two people, please thank them for all that they do.
Steve Richards moved to the Vicksburg area seven years ago with his wife Cyndi and is a board member with South County Community Services. He enjoys balancing what his father-in-law calls the “head and the heart”, working in engineering and on various art projects with their proud, Tobey Tiger granddaughters.
