Fearless volunteer just 'can't sit still'

WHO: Nina O. Hershey, 69, of 54 Grove St., Adams, who was named Citizen of the Year by the South Jefferson Chamber of Commerce.

Mrs. Hershey is president of the Watertown chapter of the AARP and of the Rohde Center, Adams, and serves on the boards of the Ecumenical Council of Churches, the Jefferson County Office for the Aging and the Community Action Planning Council.

YOUR ARE ON THE BOARDS OF MANY CHARITABLE AND CIVIC GROUPS. WHAT GOT YOU STARTED VOLUNTEERING? "I grew up here, and I'd been away 40 years. I went to (St. Cecilia's Church, Adams) and registered and said, 'Where do you need the most help?'

"Sister Norma Bryant said, 'Are you for real?' It was the church's turn to have the presidency of the ecumenical council. She asked, 'Would you be the president?' I said 'Sure.' She said, 'Our first meeting is tonight!'"

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO GET INVOLVED? "I figured what better place to volunteer and get back into society than through church? I didn't know anybody, and now I know everybody, pretty much!

"God's been very good to me, with good health and enough money to pay my bills and I just believe very much in having a Christian attitude and helping others."

WHY IS ECUMENICAL WORK IMPORTANT TO YOU? "I grew up in a very ecumenical family — my father was Jewish, and we still celebrate Hanukkah and Passover. It brings people together and people learn and become educated about each other's religion. I think if people would learn about each other, we wouldn't have all these wars."

A LOT OF YOUR CIVIC WORK IS ORGANIZATIONAL — MAKING PHONE CALLS, FUNDRAISING. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOMENTS THAT HAVE MADE YOU FEEL THE WORK IS WORTH IT? "I take communion to the sick in nursing homes. Just the visiting, just being there is so important to them. I have three people that I take communion to, and they're just so appreciative of a visit.

"I can't sit still. I find it very difficult to sit and read. I'd rather be out doing someplace. I like to be with people."

WHAT KIND OF VOLUNTEER WORK DO YOU THINK IS MOST NEEDED IN THIS AREA? "The greatest need is to help the elderly — rake their yards, fix their windows, do odd jobs."

CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE TO PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING BUT AREN'T SURE HOW TO PLUNGE IN AND GET INVOLVED? "Everybody has special gifts, and God has given you these gifts to use! Some people can make phone calls, some can sew, some can write letters. Other people can cook or get up in front of people and talk.

"Nobody wants to be president of anything. I'm not afraid to be president, because I'll delegate.

"I'm not afraid to ask people for money and donations. A lot of people would say, 'Oh, I'd never do that!' It's just one of those things that I'm not afraid to do."

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NEXT? "I'm chairing a golf tourney for the Community Action Planning Council. I've never chaired a golf tournament — I don't even play golf!"

If you know somebody who has an interesting story, contact Joanna Richards at jrichards@wdt.net