Attempting

to mention the names of all the volunteers in Fayette County would be

an impossible task. The list would be longer than the list of names in

the local phone book given the number of family members involved in community

activism.

Those reading

the Prime Timer pages over the past years have read profiles of many others

who give generously in the community.

Annie McMenamin

is a long time Kiwanian and was instrumental in starting The Gathering

Place. Carol Stallings, profiled last month, is well known for her efforts

in the community. Andy Carden, Director of Fayette Senior Services, is

involved in so many organizations and charities we couldn't begin to note

them all in his profile. Jim Steinbach is active in his church, serves

on many appointed and volunteer committees, is actively working with Fayette

Senior Services to build the new Senior Center and is active in local

political campaigns.

The following

articles briefly highlight a few Fayette County seniors who have not yet

been profiled. You may see longer profiles of these giving people in upcoming

Prime Timer pages.

Pick almost

any day of the year and you'll find a charitable event of some sort going

on in Fayette County.

The county

has a reputation as one that gives, ranking as one of the highest in the

metro Atlanta area in charitable donations.

Seniors are

a major component of the volunteer force in the county. They give their

time and their money for causes as wide-ranging as the American Heart

Association, Fayette Senior Services, the New Neighbors League and the

Fayette Council on Domestic Abuse.

Seniors volunteer

to help at Fayette Community Hospital through the Auxiliary. They take

meal to shut-ins as part of the Meals On Wheels program. They act as mentors

to students in the local schools. They organize fund raisers, teach classes,

coordinate self-help groups and man the cash registers for local thrift

shops that donate proceeds to charities, like The Clothes Less Traveled

in Peachtree City.

Service organizations

like the Kiwanis, Rotary Club and Civitans depend heavily upon the older

members those who are either retired or who have reached a place in their

field of business that allows them the flexibility to give of their time

and finances.

Seniors volunteer

to read stories, fix hair, teach crafts and host parties at area nursing

homes. Some, like Fayette County Commissioner Harold Bost, fly ambulatory

patients who cannot afford the cost of travel to medical facilities for

diagnosis and treatment. Bost donates his time, aircraft and fuel to make

air transportation service totally free of charge for qualifying patients.

These volunteers

come from many walks of life and give in many different ways.

Rosemary Beebe,

who owns her own Realty company, is active in the Metro Fayette Kiwanis

and is organizing a team for the American Heart Association's 2000 Heart

Walk.

Ron Duffy,

President and CEO of Peachtree National Bank, is well known for his support

of local organizations and charities. He has walked in the Heart Walk,

served on the boards of a wide variety of charities, helped to raise money

for almost every charity imaginable and encourages bank employees to be

active also.

Norma Johnson

with Peachtree National Bank coordinates the annual Cancer Society Relay

for Life with the support of the bank. She donates uncountable hours to

make the annual event a success.

J. D. Holmes,

owner of Gold's Gym organizes charitable events through his two gyms.

For two years the employees at the gyms have coordinated a golf tournament

benefiting the American Heart Association, and raised funds in other ways.

The gyms have supported the Children's Wish Foundation, the American Cancer

Society, the Arthritis Foundation, local schools and numerous other charities

with fund-raising activities.

Many, if not

most, who give are rarely recognized for their generosity, nor do they

seek recognition. They donate their time because they feel the need to

give back to the community.

Some say they

have always been inclined to help those less fortunate. Others, like Vicki

Turner with AIS Computers, say it's in their blood. Quite a few have been

touched personally by illness or tragedy and choose to get involved after

their ordeal.

Whatever the

reason may be that seniors choose to give and no matter what the cause,

Fayette County is lucky to have so many who are willing to share their

talents, money and time.