Brittle leaves crushed as I walked the neighborhood with my two dogs. The cattledog mix reared her head to watch a wedge of honking geese flying in their �V� formation pass overhead. I stopped and watched them glide across the sky, realizing my beloved summer was over.
Several seconds later, there came a loud shout. There was a lone bird struggling to catch up to the others. I wondered if the stressed goose would eventually catch up or would it be abandoned. I thought about our Extra Miler this month, Lorie Nevils. Lorie doesn�t like for anyone (people or animals) to be left behind or forsaken. She cares about the underdog and will quickly drop back to be sure no one is forsaken.
The first time I met Lorie Nevils, she was working in the kitchen of First Christian Church, organizing a meal for the congregation to raise money to fund the Clothe-A-Child project and Christmas baskets of food for those in need. She was much like the conductor of an orchestra � waving her arms as she provided instruction and guidance to ensure the line moved quickly and everyone was well-fed. She was confident in her task and it was obvious that she placed considerable emphasis on having everything organized and everyone accommodated.
Lorie is a straight-talking woman with the motto, �When you know me, you know what you see is what you get ... no surprises.� I liked her immediately.
Lorie is a caregiver, plain and simple. If you are hungry, she will feed you. She will not ask questions because she doesn�t care why you are hungry � she only cares that you are. If you are weary or stressed, she will offer you a place to sit and talk.
On the day the lights went out in Southern Indiana (after our recent storm), the American Red Cross (ARC) called First Christian Church (FCC) for help. They needed a shelter for individuals without electricity who needed a safe place to sleep. Many FCC members contributed to ensuring the needs of these individuals were met, including three meals a day. There were so many who volunteered as part of the Kitchen/Celebrations Ministry Team that Lorie couldn�t list them for fear of missing someone; however, she emphasized that they were the real Extra Milers ... not her.
Typical of being an Extra Miler herself, Lorie states, �I absolutely don�t do anything exceptional ... I just enjoy feeding hungry people and I couldn�t do it without all the volunteers.�
Despite the fact that she had just been released from the hospital for severe abdominal pains when the ARC sent its SOS, Lorie and her team assessed the food in the pantry and freezer. She purchased whatever was needed to feed and care for the temporary residents.
The ARC Executive Director, Phyllis Wilkins, was extremely grateful.
�I cannot say enough good things about the members of First Christian � they have rolled out the welcome mat for the community with such graciousness and love, it�s overwhelming to witness,� she said.
Phyllis added, �On the first evening after the storm, there were 44 people enjoying a home-cooked meal of shrimp cocktail, chicken casserole, green beans, homemade desserts, even flowers on the tables, thanks to Lorie, Melana (Fischer), Amanda (Wagoner) and a number of other volunteers! The camaraderie was contagious, very upbeat.�
When the ARC no longer needed the church as an overnight shelter, Lorie took stock of the situation in her community. She knew there were thousands still without electricity, with no way to cook a hot meal or even keep food cold. Our Extra Miler didn�t dawdle; people were hungry � she knew this � so the decision was made, with church approval, to continue cooking until there was no longer a need. In the next four days, Lorie�s FCC team fed more than 1,100 Southern Indiana residents at no cost to them or the community. Donations of food and money miraculously flowed in to cover the majority of the expenses for the meals.
Sonya Hedge, Lorie�s sister-in-law, summed Lorie up very well.
�Lorie is happiest when her driveway and house is full and when she is giving or doing for others ... her purpose in life is to care for people (or animals) in need, expecting absolutely nothing in return,� she said.
Hedge adds, �I�ve seen her give to others even when it meant doing without herself.�
Without fanfare, without bells or whistles, or even a honking goose that is lagging behind, Lorie Nevils makes caring an everyday simple activity. Thank you, Lorie Nevils, for being generous with your love, your life and your talents. You are truly a Southern Indiana Extra Miler. Hope you are feeling well soon.
��Kindness Tip of the Month: �If you want to eliminate hunger, everybody has to be involved.� � Bono
Lorie�s Tip is for those of you who are Extra Milers ... don�t hesitate to ask others to help. Many people wait in the wings for their chance to step forward and provide assistance on community and church activities and events � they just need a little push or invitation to step forward.
Extra Milers
Related Photos
Discussion
Extra Miler: First Christian Church member Lorie Nevils lends hand to those in need during power outage
- Extra Milers
-
-
The Extra Milers: Teaching by example
-
EXTRA MILER: The courage to say yes
-
EXTRA MILER: Sisters of the Heart
Both girls have been involved in volunteer activities for several years. Amber serves on the student council of her school and has volunteered several times in soup kitchens. Sophia loves to dance and has entertained in nursing homes on several occasions.
-
EXTRA MILER: Overcoming fear by facing it head-on
As a young girl, I was reluctant to learn how to ride a bicycle. I was torn between wanting the wind in my hair as I hit the open road with friends and the fear of falling with a splat to the pavement. My father quickly tired of the excuses and one day sat me on the bicycle and pushed the bike forward. I fell hard and as my windblown vision seemed to be shattered, my father said, “Get right back up on that horse and ride again … it will be easier this time.” He was right.
-
EXTRA MILER: A call to duty
I was talking recently with Mark Eddy, executive director for Leadership Southern Indiana, when the conversation turned to this column. Mark said he knew of a church full of Extra Milers. The church is the Northside Church of Christ in Jeffersonville and specifically, he mentioned two individuals he felt met and exceeded the standards set for Extra Milers. He named Michael Kidwell and Gale Dunlap.
-
Harkins has touched thousands with her generosity, concern for others
I am blessed with many best friends who have influenced my life; however, there has been one person who has influenced me the most and is the inspiration behind this column. Everything I know about loving my neighbor, I learned from Barbara Long Harkins (Barbie) … and she continues to provide inspiration to all who know her.
-
EXTRA MILER: Coloring Our World
Creative people tend to bring full color to an otherwise monochrome world. Our July Extra Miler, George Ellis, turns life’s dull and numbing neutrals into vibrant and joyful colors.
-
EXTRA MILER: Bringing Respect into our Schools
An enforcement officer recently spoke with me after sitting through a workplace harassment workshop. He spoke of his part-time job duties as a security officer at a local middle school and expressed a great concern for children who do not seem to fit in with the majority students. The officer said, “Every day I see cruel and hateful harassment from many of the students and my job is to step in if they become violent.”
-
EXTRA MILER: Be part of Southern Indiana’s week of kindness
Julie Schwerer, executive director of the Bliss House in Jeffersonville, is a bundle of energy with a contagious spirit. She can speak at warp speed when truly excited and last week she may have broken through the sound barrier as she spoke of an anonymous donation to the Bliss House.
-
EXTRA MILER: Puppies for children
Mary Latimer and Eileen Mullineaux didn’t take their task lightly — they went the extra mile. Mary and Eileen purchased the materials and devoted themselves to sew 108 puppy pillows to be painted and stuffed by Floyd Central High School students.
- More Extra Milers Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
