feature storyThe Appl<strong>in</strong>g County Charity FoundationNeighbors Help<strong>in</strong>g NeighborsBy Renee O’Qu<strong>in</strong>nA diagnosis of cancer foryou, a friend or loved one canbe devastat<strong>in</strong>g. Cancer affectsnot just <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dividual diagnosedbut also everyone closeto that person. The physicaland emotional costs are high,but <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial cost of hav<strong>in</strong>gcancer treatment can easilywipe out even a large nestegg. The cancer patient maysoon f<strong>in</strong>d himself or herselfnot hav<strong>in</strong>g enough money topay <strong>the</strong>ir mortgage or rent.For a person with cancer, <strong>the</strong>disease is not <strong>the</strong> only th<strong>in</strong>gthat is <strong>the</strong> most difficult. members <strong>in</strong>cludeThere are many th<strong>in</strong>gs that Audrey Craven,weigh on <strong>the</strong>ir m<strong>in</strong>ds such as<strong>the</strong> cost of treatments andmedications, <strong>the</strong> cost of driv<strong>in</strong>gto a hospital for treatmentsand so many o<strong>the</strong>rstruggles. If <strong>the</strong>y can’t pay<strong>the</strong>ir electric bill, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>irpower gets turned off. Somecancer patients are on oxygenand <strong>the</strong>y absolutely needpower. This is where TheAppl<strong>in</strong>g County CharityFoundation comes <strong>in</strong>. Thenonprofit foundation was organized<strong>in</strong> Baxley by communityvolunteers andfounded by HelenSamardjich. The slogan forthis wonderful charity foundationis ‘Neighbors Help<strong>in</strong>gNeighbors’ - this is exactlywhat <strong>the</strong>y do and have beendo<strong>in</strong>g ever s<strong>in</strong>ce it was organized<strong>in</strong> 1995.38 <strong>Mature</strong> <strong>Liv<strong>in</strong>g</strong> W<strong>in</strong>ter EditionThe organization is madeup of wonderful volunteermembers who are KarronCarter, Lizzie Cromartie,Cecile Griff<strong>in</strong>, Angela W.Thornton, Elwaner Parker,Deborah Parker, WandaAmmons, Mary Alice Jo<strong>in</strong>er,Jeannie T. Moody, RyanMcNeal, Charlene Price,Sandra Sasser, PatriciaWigg<strong>in</strong>s, Lewis Parker, AlexJohnson, Cary Long, RobertWigg<strong>in</strong>s Sr., CharlieStuckey, David Williamsand HelenSamardjich. RetiredGene Teston andLucy Overstreet, PastorTommy Dubose and PastorRon Ross.A former memberis Wesley Swa<strong>in</strong>.Helen is a slender petitelady with long wavy hair andhas an accent that is hard tomiss. Her personality andcharm are huge. With a greatbig warm smile and a quickwit she is a joy to be around.“I know how hard it is”,she conveyed. “It’s not just<strong>the</strong> illness that is <strong>the</strong> most difficultsometimes; it is <strong>the</strong> lossof <strong>the</strong>ir homes. It’s <strong>in</strong> myheart (while patt<strong>in</strong>g a handover her chest). Isn’t thatwhat we are suppose to bedo<strong>in</strong>g help<strong>in</strong>g o<strong>the</strong>rs?”The charity foundation’smission is to help poor peoplestricken with cancer. Thefoundation benefits only <strong>the</strong>people <strong>in</strong> Appl<strong>in</strong>g County.F<strong>in</strong>ancial support comes fromprivate <strong>in</strong>dividuals, churchesand <strong>in</strong> lieu of flowers for funeralservices. Every three orfour years <strong>the</strong>y have afundraiser. The visionfor <strong>the</strong>foundationis tocont<strong>in</strong>ue on <strong>the</strong>same route andcont<strong>in</strong>ue with <strong>the</strong>same pr<strong>in</strong>ciples that <strong>the</strong>group has. The goals are togrow and get more support.Helen was born <strong>in</strong> AustriaYugoslavia and it was communistat that time. Becauseof her fa<strong>the</strong>r, she and hermo<strong>the</strong>r were brought toAmerica. The story about herfa<strong>the</strong>r and how she ended uphere is a ra<strong>the</strong>r lengthy story<strong>in</strong> itself. Her parents becamedivorced.She had a wonderfulmo<strong>the</strong>r and Helen loved hervery much. Helen had a veryhappy childhood grow<strong>in</strong>g up,but <strong>the</strong>y were very poor. Oneof <strong>the</strong> most difficult th<strong>in</strong>gsthat she ever went throughwas when she found out hermo<strong>the</strong>r had breast cancer.When she was about 16 yearsold she began work<strong>in</strong>g threejobs to help support herselfand her mom. It was a veryhard time. Her mo<strong>the</strong>rbattled cancer formany years. Shestruggled off and onwith it for 22 years.The most difficult th<strong>in</strong>gabout it was know<strong>in</strong>gwhat <strong>the</strong> ultimate outcomewas go<strong>in</strong>g to be. The wayHelen got through this difficulttime was she keptbusy work<strong>in</strong>g try<strong>in</strong>g tomake ends meet.“I didn’t have time todwell on it, she said. “I th<strong>in</strong>kany problem that you have,if you have time and dwellon it, becomes bigger andbigger.“I didn’t ask for this, nobodydoes. I ei<strong>the</strong>r had toswim or drown. I was exhaustedfrom work<strong>in</strong>g threejobs.”The experience taught hersometh<strong>in</strong>g about herself. Itmade her a stronger personand it taught her responsibility.“Hav<strong>in</strong>g to go throughsuch a difficult time makescont<strong>in</strong>ued on <strong>page</strong> 41
R ENTZR&ENTZINSURANCE, INC.453 SOUTH MAIN ST. IN BAXLEY • 912-367-1479<strong>Mature</strong> <strong>Liv<strong>in</strong>g</strong> W<strong>in</strong>ter Edition 39
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