Over the past weekend I was blessed with the opportunity to sit down and talk with one very special woman. Patricia Hamilton, Pat to most people, uses her time to put towards volunteering in order to make her community a little better.
Pat grew up on a small, "dirt poor" farm in Plymouth, Indiana and experienced the battle with poverty again in her adult life, after her husband died.
"There have been times when I was so dirt poor, you wouldn't even believe it. I look back on it now and think: how did we survive? My husband died 28 years ago and I have never remarried. I raised my kids on my own; I worked midnights so I wouldn't miss anything else. It was a struggle." Hamilton said.
Though it was tough to take care of her children, Pat struggled through and it was because of her determination that she began her volunteer work.
"There have been times in my life that I wished it had been the other way around... I don't like seeing people struggle. I would never stand there and watch somebody struggle if I could do anything to help them," Hamilton said.
In order to do this, Pat finds herself volunteering and organizing events at her church, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Griffith, as well as helping out with other volunteer functions such as the walk in October that she took part in as a way to raise funds for the Northwest Indiana Food Bank. Of course, no one can keep track of all they do with just their mind and Pat is no exception. Thanks to her handy dandy pocket calendar that has pencil marks from end-to-end, she is able to get to where she needs to go and help out others in need.
"Well, when you see people in need, help them. You know, everybody can do a little bit of something and a lot of people need a lot of things—and it's not always money. Just help! Be a friend, a shoulder, someone to listen...it can be anything like that. And the more you do it, the more you meet different people, the more you run into them and then you become friends. It's self-satisfying and it's a feel good thing, too. I don't do it to make myself feel good, but it does. It makes you feel great when you have helped somebody that needed you."
Mrs. Hamilton started her volunteering back in 2003 when she marched in the Romp and Roll with the Engineering Division of Community Hospital in order to raise money for the Cancer Resource Center.
"The Cancer Resource Center is a place where cancer patients and their families can go for comfort, literature, therapy, just a lot of things. All by myself, during the seven years that I was the captain of my engineering division team, I raised about $40,000, which isn't too bad for one little person." Hamilton said.
Along with marching in assorted fundraising walks, Pat has also raised money through her main hobby, crocheting. Over the course of five different years, Pat crocheted Afghans which, all together, made $1000 for her church.
"This year I set out to read the bible, cover to cover, once. Well, I just finished it for the second time and what I found was that it repeats these things: help the poor, help the needy, and you're only rich if you give it away. It says, multiple times, that there are more ways to give than we think. You can make a difference to people by giving of your time, your talent or your treasure. It let me know that I've been kinda doing this right all along."
Pat runs a shop through her church called St. Timothy's Treasures, which sells assorted things such as crocheted, beaded, and embroidered items all made by very talented people.
"They are treasures made by treasures. Whatever I sell through the shop, I give 25% to the church. That really only leaves me with barely enough to cover the purchase price of all the items I use, but that is just another example of giving of your talent. I have a talent and I am using it for good," Hamilton said.
Most people would agree that Mrs. Hamilton is a great role model for her community. She can be seen, out and about, donating her time to make her community a brighter place.
"Just think, if everyone would step up and do a few of the things that, not only I do, but that a lot of people do, we wouldn't just have a better community, but a better world! You don't have to do things only for people that you know. Get involved! If you don't know what else to do: call a school and see if they need hats and scarves and coats or call a church, any church, and ask if they need things. I bet you they would be more than happy to accept anything you have to offer. Sometimes, to volunteer, all you have to do is look and ask. Opportunities will find you that way," she said.
In order to make a better world, some people must lead by example.
"If you can set an example by doing, and don't say 'watch me now, I'm going to do something great' but just do it all the time, all the time, all the time. Like anything else that is repeated all the time, people notice and maybe they want to do that too...Every morning I set out on the same mission: to make even the smallest bit of difference to somebody every single day...And as long as I can walk and talk, that is exactly what I am going to do," she said
Of course, Pat can't do all she does by herself and she has a ton of help. One day she was working on a puzzle in the newspaper, like she does all the time, and the solved puzzle said, "Volunteers go unpaid, not because they are worthless but because they are priceless."
"I thought that was pretty cool! I love it! You know, because sometimes you are afraid to thank people for all they do because you don't want to leave anyone out or forget someone...but they are all priceless," she said.
Among Pat's army of helpers are her daughter and granddaughter whom she claims to "rope in" to most of her schemes.
"My daughter, Leanne, and granddaughter, Brittany, are always helping me with different things. Actually, when Brittany heard about the interview, she emailed me and told me that she was proud of me...that's the real reward of all that I do...having my granddaughter be proud of me. And, actually, I am quite proud of her too. She does volunteer work of her own and is fantastic. I planted the seed and she let it grow."
Patricia Hamilton is an amazing woman who is making waves of change for her community. She wants everyone to know that anyone can make a difference; it just takes a small amount of time and a little effort on your part. For ways to get started volunteering she offers these places:
Sojourner Truth House: A day shelter where battered, abused, and homeless women can go for help
410 West 13th Avenue Gary, Indiana 46407 219-885-2282
North West Indiana Food Bank: They are always in need of things. Just call and ask what they are running low on! Www.Foodbanknwi.org
Meals On Wheels: They are always in need of drivers. Call and ask if you can help in some way.
8446 Virginia Merrillville, Indiana 46410 219-756-3663