Nancy Kreger and Barbara Sulffridge
2008 First Citizens

Presentation speeches delivered by Frank Moore:  

We’ve probably all heard the story of the five blind men and the elephant. They each touched a different part of the animal, and they each had a different idea of what it was like. Understanding our First Citizens is rather like that. They each do so much, in so many different places, that it’s hard for the rest of us to get a complete view of just how much they give to our community.

If you spend time in the Senior Center, you would see our first honoree there, helping prepare and serve meals, training new volunteers, delivering Meals on Wheels, and taking blood pressure readings.

At her church, you’d see her teaching Sunday School and Bible classes. At the talent show and spaghetti feed next weekend, she’ll be helping out.

In the home of someone moving, you’d find her spending two days packing them up. Where a family is grieving, you’ll see her helping with funeral arrangements and bringing food.

If you are with the Volunteer Fire Department, you would see her helping save lives as an EMT. Anywhere around the county, you might have seen her teaching classes in First Aid and CPR through the Red Cross or Driver Safety through AARP.

At the Fire Department’s Bar-B-Q and Craft Fair, you’ll see her running the pie shop. If you’d been in her kitchen the week before, you’d have seen her table covered with pies she baked. In her living room, you’d see the quilts she made to donate to a raffle or to give to a new baby or a senior citizen.

Even her poor husband can’t keep up with everything she does. He said, "If she sees a need, she fills it. If she thinks somebody needs help, she’s going to be there." Here is what her nomination said: "In her quiet and unassuming manner, she lives to help whoever is in need. She has touched many lives and has been a friend to the people of Glide and surrounding areas."

We are blessed and grateful to have this kind-hearted, giving person among us. Please join me in honoring Barbara Sulffridge, Glide First Citizen 2008!

Angie introduced the Selection Committee a few minutes ago, and you’d never guess from looking at them what an unconventional bunch they are. This committee decided not to be restricted by recent tradition and gender rules. And so, just as in 1968, 1989, and 1995, tonight we have two women as our First Citizens.

Our second honoree also devotes amazing amounts of time to helping others -- so much that it is practically a full-time job. As food coordinator at the Helping Hands food pantry, she acquires the food and supplies. She also individually helps recipients select their groceries -- a consistent, caring face for the patrons of Helping Hands every Wednesday. Altogether, she spends about 60 hours a month at Helping Hands. She also volunteers with UCAN, picking up food from Roseburg stores that will go to all area food pantries, including Glide’s. Add another 25 or 30 hours a month.

For four years, she’s been a state-certified nursing home ombudsman. This means she is a friend, advocate, and problem-solver for the 150 residents of her assigned home, some of whom are Glide citizens, plus residents in 3 foster homes, one in the Glide area. Last fall the state recognized her dedication and skill with two awards. She’s required to spend 10 hours per month, but she actually puts in 20 to 30. So now we’re up to about a 30-hour volunteer work week.

She apparently still thinks she has time on her hands, because every year starting in October, she becomes one of Santa’s elves. She is a key team member of the holiday food and gift basket program. She’s the one who makes sure every household needing help gets signed up. She talks to every parent to find out what kinds of gifts the children would like -- and there are 160 to 200 children every year. The gift tree has a tag she has made for every child, and if some tags aren’t taken, she goes shopping herself. She retrieves donated food and gifts daily from under the tree, and sorts and organizes them. For weeks her living room looks like Santa’s workshop! She calls every single household -- there were 145 last year -- reminding them to be home for the food deliveries. Those who see her on food-sorting and delivery days may not realize that she has already put in over 100 hours on the project.

Whether she’s making sure children have Christmas presents, guaranteeing that families have food on their tables, or improving the quality of life for those in nursing care, this woman literally changes the lives of hundreds of people in our community.

One of her great gifts is the ability to make people feel comfortable when circumstances require them to seek help. Her totally non-judgemental, caring attitude is contagious for those who work beside her. Her attitude makes it clear that she believes she is privileged to have the opportunity to serve.

Well, we are privileged to have her as a member of our community, helping and inspiring us. Please join me in honoring Nancy Kreger as Glide First Citizen 2008!