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Hospice volunteer, 99, still vigorous, venerable

Klint Lowry/SUNCOAST

As she has for the past seven years, Emma James, right, sees to Gulfside Regional Hospice Thrift Shoppe customers along with her fiend, Elvin Murphy.

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By KLINT LOWRY | The Suncoast News

Published: August 12, 2009

The volunteers who work at the Gulfside Regional Hospice Thrift Shoppe at Moog Road and U.S. 19 appreciate how valuable old things can be. All of the store's proceeds provide care for patients who have no insurance and help support Gulfside Regional Hospice Houses.

They also know that what goes for the items goes for people, that age is something to be valued.

Emma James is a volunteer at the store. At any given time, it is likely she is older than any of the resale items the store has to offer. Last Sunday, she turned 99. A few days earlier, her friends and fellow volunteers at the store helped her celebrate.

"The staff at Gulfside can't wait to start planning Emma's 100th birthday party," said Linda Ward, Gulfside Regional Hospice president and CEO.

James considers herself to be amply compensated for her efforts.

"I have met so many nice people while volunteering at the store - both shoppers at the store and the other volunteers," James said. "Of course you get a few who aren't so nice. I'm just thrilled to come in here every Wednesday.

James has been volunteering at the store since 2002, when her friend Elvin Murphy brought her in. Nowadays, Murphy, who also volunteers at the store, still drives her there on Wednesday afternoons when she works a shift bagging and wrapping purchases at the checkout counter.

She laughed and said that it's kind of crazy that a woman of her age would still work at a store, or want to. Then again, she went swimming the day of her birthday party, and until recently she was an avid walker. She figured maybe staying active is what's kept her active at 99.

"It thrills me to death to see her energy," store manager Noreen Clements said. "The ladies here all like working together, smiling together, laughing together."

Unlike many people who close in on the century mark claiming to owe it all to clean living, Wilson smiles as she recalls that the first several years she and her husband, Ernest, were together, they loved dancing and used go out and do the town. In fact they consciously decided they had to slow down if they were going to have children before she turned 30.

"I was 29 when my baby was born," James said. A few weeks ago, her first great-great-grandchild was born. Would she stop working when she turns 100? How about 105? Again, James laughed and said she never really thought about it.

Gulfside Regional Hospice is about to hold volunteer orientation classes for those interested in donating some of their time.

"We're always looking for volunteers," said Kathie Poole, volunteer coordinator. All those age 16 through - at least 99 - are welcome. Besides the thrift shops, volunteers are needed for patient care, couriers, general fixit projects and clerical work. The only qualifications needed, Poole said, are a positive attitude and a willingness to help, along with a picture ID and a clear background check.

Three orientations are planned. The first is in West Pasco, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Gulfside's West Pasco administrative office, 6117 Trouble Creek Road, New Port Richey. Others are scheduled for Aug. 20 at the hospice's thrift shop in Lutz and on Aug. 25 at Gulfside's East Pasco administrative office in Dade City.

Reservations are required. To sign up or to get more information, call Poole at 727-845-5707 or Heather De Los Santos at 813-780-1235. For more on Gulfside Regional Hospice, visit www.GRHospice.org.

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