Paper: Marion Star, The (OH)
Title: A new life, new energy
Author: BRENDA J. DONEGAN
Date: November 20, 2005
Page: B0
The Marion StarNEW BLOOMINGTON -- Doing for others as she would like others to do to her is the philosophy of life for Clara Scroggins.
Always willing to help neighbors and others she came in contact with, Scroggins said after going through a Pathfinders program while helping distribute commodities in Cave City, Ky., she learned to volunteer in a different way.
"Pathfinders encompasses all faiths," she said. "That's when I began my strong volunteering."
Her first efforts were at the Community Action Center helping wherever needed. She said she has answered the phone, made appointments, delivered meals, and more.
"I just do whatever Hazel (Blankenship, executive director at Ohio Heartland Community Action Center) asks me to do," she said. "I worked at Marion County Community Action four years (1992-1996) and started going with Hazel's special group on trips and attended their meetings twice a month on the second and fourth Wednesdays, often helping cook special meals for them. When Hazel got the meal site, the group disbanded. She just didn't have time to do everything with the new requirements that came with the meal site."
Two years ago, her son, Brian Napper, encouraged her to become involved in a new after school program in New Bloomington where she lives. The New Vision Community Building hosts the after school program, which is supervised under the umbrella of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Marion County.
Scroggins said she contacted BB/BS, applied, was screened and approved as a volunteer. The program is held 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and is coordinated and overseen by Cindy Creasap, educational services manager for BB/BS. Creasap has nothing but high praise for Scroggins.
"She is absolutely wonderful," Creasap said. "She is there all the time and brings treats to our kids often."
Creasap said the program currently has six children. One of the stipulations is that they must live in the New Bloomington area as they are dropped off at the center directly from school by an Elgin bus and the driver then returns at 5:45 p.m. and takes them to their homes.
Homework is the number one priority in the program. Children tackle their homework assisted by Scroggins, Creasap and volunteer teen Amanda Lynch.
Creasap said Scroggins is helpful as they teach life skills such as how to set the table properly, the importance of washing their hands and cleanliness in the kitchen.
Once a month, the families of the children are invited for a meal. Creasap said the majority of the food is cooked by BB/BS staff but Scroggins always shows up with her offering of food, too.
"We encourage families to sit together as a family and talk about their days events," Creasap said. "If one of the kids doesn't have any family come, Clara invites them to join her."
Creasap said Scroggins' rapport with the children is good and she is an encourager to them as well.
"She's always very positive, "Creasap said. "She's very much a believer of discipline and corrects them when they get out of line but she's very understanding and kind."
Scroggins said volunteering has been a learning experience for her.
"I've never done crafts before so I'm learning that right along with them (children)," she said. "I've learned algebra from the kids, things that I had forgotten how to do or never had the chance to learn when I went to school, I enjoy this so much. They give me new life and new energy. They're not much different than seniors because seniors go through a second childhood, too. They want attention and they want everything everybody else has."
When not volunteering with the children, Scroggins cooks three Saturdays a month at the community center for bingo.
"We have to have food so the players can eat while they play," she said.
She also works at the polls beginning first at the coliseum and at LaRue the election this month. But she did so with some apprehension because of the new voting machines.
"I'm computer illiterate," she said and laughed. "I told voters if I can do it, you can do it. We have 172 voters and only one of them said they preferred a paper ballot."
Her former neighbor and longtime friend, Gerry Johnson, said Scroggins has always been the first in the neighborhood to call at the time of a crisis or when she's hears of a need for assistance.
"She's a good neighbor," Johnson said. "Our kids grew up together. She's into volunteering at things, too, like me. When something needs done, Clara is the first to offer. She's got a good heart."
Brenda Donegan: 740-375-5150 or bdonegan@nncogannett.com
Author: BRENDA J. DONEGAN
Page: B0
Copyright (c) The Marion Star. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc.
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