We have a very talented friend here in Fish Springs who is retired from his paying job and now volunteers to help people and our community in many different ways. He said it makes him feel really good to know he's been able to help. I know the kinds of things he does and I thought other residents might have the time and desire to help out also. Things like picking up trash along the road while he's taking a walk or cleaning up the Pine Nut Mountains with other members of the Pinenut Trails Association. They recently installed a kiosk that has information for users of the trails. He and his wife both helped build the Tahoe Rim Trail also. She too has many talents, and is presently volunteering to teach English to a Spanish-speaking gentleman.
Our friend has delivered library books to homebound people and meals to them too. He was also a volunteer firefighter. Whenever St. Gall Catholic Church has electrical problems and things like that, this man responds and fixes the problem. Often you may see him cleaning out the church gutters and the baptismal font, and also cooking and dishwashing for many dinners. Every year he works hard at the annual rummage sales and he certainly is a jack-of-all-trades. I keep referring to him as "he" instead of using his name. That's because he's so modest and he would be embarrassed if he knew that I wrote about him.
With his many building skills, he has volunteered to go to Mexico and help build homes for the homeless. He has also cooked the meals during the retreats for teenagers, and I don't want to forget that this man of many talents even cleans up around the graveyards. At Christmas, he has assembled bicycles for kids that dream of having one.
He told me that he enjoys helping elderly people and the rewards to him are wonderful. How good it feels! There are so many ways that we can make a positive difference in someone's life. During this Christmas season, how about starting a new resolution? Perhaps by leaving a basket of Christmas goodies anonymously on someone's front porch. Try it, you might like it.
Never over-the-hill
Happy, happy, never over-the-hill, 50th birthday to our great Fish Springs friend and neighbor, Carole Tomer. As a volunteer EMT/firefighter here in Fish Springs for the past eight years, she has helped hundreds of people during their emergency situations. We thank her for all she has done for us. Happy birthday Carole.
-- Linda Monohan may be reached at 782-5802.
