Much the way her garden draws hummingbirds and butterflies, Janice Pierson of Waymart has a way of attracting people.

Perhaps it’s her warm, caring spirit and how she reaches out to help. Every Friday morning finds her helping  out at her church’s clothing closet. The Calvary United Methodist Church in Waymart accepts donated clothing from the community to give to anyone in need. “Everyone is welcome to come and look through. And they can have as much as they want and it’s all free,” she says.  The clothing closet is open Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

When the church get an overflow of clothing, they share with Sister Adrian who ministers through “Friends of the Poor” in Scranton. They also put outfits together and take them “Dress for Success” in Scranton, a program run by the Scranton Woman’s Club.

“It’s a very busy church with a lot going on,” she says with a smile. Janice, who turns 81-year-old in August, has been a member of the church since she was 17 or 18 years-old.

The mom of four loves her family, proudly talking about each one: Christine Bond of Waymart, Wendy Pierson of Chicago, Bill Pierson of Alaska and the late Frank Pierson, who shared her love of flowers.

 Gardening is a big part of who Janice is. She’s a Master Gardener. “I love those people,” she says of her fellow gardeners.

“This is my favorite hobby right here,” she says, sitting in a lawn chair, enjoying the view. “I love my flowers ...I used to sit right in the dirt, but I can’t get down anymore.”
Janice just appreciates the beauty that surrounds her. Along with watching her feathered friends at the feeders, she’s a cloud watcher. “I can just sit and watch the clouds. I’ve loved them since I was a little girl. I’d just lay on a big rock in the field and watch the clouds.”

 A medical records secretary at Farview State Hospital, Janice worked for them for 22 years. Add another three years on to that and you arrive at the number of years she’s volunteered with the Northeast Pennsylvania Audubon Society. “I like it because I like the people that belong to it ...I find that people who are involved with birds, animals and flowers are nice people.”

A member of the Waymart Area Historical Society, Janice can also be found once a week, looking over old pictures and identifying the people and places in them. “Because I remember,” she says.

As to why she’s so generous with her time and helping others, Janice says, “Two fold: There are needs. There’s a lot of things that need to be done. The other thing is — I really enjoy it.”

VOLUNTEER STORIES WANTED: If you know of a volunteer in our region who we should interview, call Tammy Compton at (570)253-3055 or e-mail tcompton@wayneindependent.com.