CSA 2010 Finalist: Neta Stamps
By: Dave Woodman, CSA Producer
Updated: October 20, 2009
Our June finalist for the 2010 KARK 4 Community Service Awards wears many volunteer hats in the Carroll County town of Berryville.
Entering Berryville for the first time, you might not expect a modern hospital with a hospice unit and a volunteer named Neta Stamps.
"Good morning, St. John's Home Health and Hospice. This is Neta, how may I help you?," she says while answering the phone. "Up until about three years ago, I was a direct volunteer with patients. I was really deeply affected when my last patient died, and since then I have been available whenever possible, and I would go out if called on," says Neta.
"Her role is more within our office, which to me she's probably more valuable to me personally than she has any idea.
Neta is also Cairman of the St. John's Auxiliary thrift store," says Juanita Coyle, with Mercy St. John's Hospice.
And the auxiliary, since it was reopened, reinstated in 1982, has provided over $800,000 in services and equipment to the hospital.
Master Gardeners of Carroll County also gets a share of Neta's time.
"I met Neta at the first master gardeners class, and just a marvelous example of what volunteerism really is, how it's selfless, how Neta is always there, always ready to serve," recalls Merilee Scarano, who nominated Neta for a CSA award.
And her career as a lab technician qualifies her to serve at OARS, Ozark Aids Resources and Services.
"We are the only free medical clinic for HIV patients in Arkansas," says Carole Sturgis, Executive Director of OARS.
"She has a big speech impediment. She doesn't know how to say the words. She doesn't know how to say the word "retirement"; she doesn't know how to say very often the word "no"," Carole says.
Neta's reponse? My feeling is this: If I don't do it, who's going to?
Neta is our first 2010 finalist.
Entering Berryville for the first time, you might not expect a modern hospital with a hospice unit and a volunteer named Neta Stamps.
"Good morning, St. John's Home Health and Hospice. This is Neta, how may I help you?," she says while answering the phone. "Up until about three years ago, I was a direct volunteer with patients. I was really deeply affected when my last patient died, and since then I have been available whenever possible, and I would go out if called on," says Neta.
"Her role is more within our office, which to me she's probably more valuable to me personally than she has any idea.
Neta is also Cairman of the St. John's Auxiliary thrift store," says Juanita Coyle, with Mercy St. John's Hospice.
And the auxiliary, since it was reopened, reinstated in 1982, has provided over $800,000 in services and equipment to the hospital.
Master Gardeners of Carroll County also gets a share of Neta's time.
"I met Neta at the first master gardeners class, and just a marvelous example of what volunteerism really is, how it's selfless, how Neta is always there, always ready to serve," recalls Merilee Scarano, who nominated Neta for a CSA award.
And her career as a lab technician qualifies her to serve at OARS, Ozark Aids Resources and Services.
"We are the only free medical clinic for HIV patients in Arkansas," says Carole Sturgis, Executive Director of OARS.
"She has a big speech impediment. She doesn't know how to say the words. She doesn't know how to say the word "retirement"; she doesn't know how to say very often the word "no"," Carole says.
Neta's reponse? My feeling is this: If I don't do it, who's going to?
Neta is our first 2010 finalist.
