page 1 - Mature Living in the Southeast

nity volunteers that believe charity should begin and remain athome.Although research and educational services of national andstate charitable organizations are much needed they can onlyprovide half of the comfort to someone stricken with cancer,severe hardship or a catastrophic illness. The underprivilegedare confronted with the dilemma of not only how to pay a bill,but which bill should be paid. Their plight is multiplied by theever-increasing cost of treatments, medications, modificationsand the worry and stress of the inability to pay. Following carefulscreening of each applicant, the volunteer allocation committeeof ACCF decides which expenses should be covered.Medical costs, utilities, rental or purchases of medical equipmentand rental expenses are considered and mutually agreedupon. Note very carefully: No money is ever given to the applicant;they pay directly to the provider. This certainly lifts theorganization above any speculation as to how your hard earneddonations are managed by the volunteers. For those of who maynot be aware the only expense ACCF has is a yearly mandatoryfee of $30.00 to the Georgia Secretary of State for registeringthe non-profit.“What we do is a must, for if we cannot assist our own needyfriends and neighbors what kind of Christians are we? Who holdsa guarantee that but for the grace of God, it could not be one ofus? When a needy applicant calls any member of ACCF andwishes to lend a helping hand, it is by far the sweetest thanksanyone could hope for,” states Helen.Fundraisers enable the foundation to function and providethe above-listed services. The generous support of our community,individuals, businesses, corporations and many of our localchurches have blessed the charity foundation beyond expectations.There is no greater honor than to serve side by side withthe full support of our local clergy.Since the existence of the foundation it has been able to help116 individuals thus far, some of them as many as three years ina row, at $500.00 per individual, per year. In short, over$58,103.69 has been paid out and the best part is that most of itis generated back into the community, as needy recipients submittedbills from local gas companies, electric companies, localpharmacies, Baxley Housing Authority, etc.Founder Helen Samardjich and the volunteers are very proudof what the foundation has accomplished so far, but most of all,it really works. So all of you who have generously and faithfullysupported the charity are directly responsible for the successand together the entire community has formed a circle of goodwill. ACCF thanks everyone for the support.Although there are no wages, benefits, vacations, trips orincentives of any kind, and free time is often hard to come byfor the volunteers, Helen borrows the phrase, “It is the hardestjob we’ll ever love.” For this truly describes how they feel. Theyremain ever so humbled by the respect and gratitude of thosethat were able to help.“It is amazing what can be accomplished when people putcontinued on page 44Mature Living Winter Edition 43