“My guiding philosophy on life: Look outside of yourself to see what you can do for others,” says Brenda Jacobsen of Lakeville.
Mission Coordinator for the Lakeville United Methodist Church, Brenda says, “I’m kind of like a Mission maniac. I kind of think of it as a cheerleader of God. I just go out and do what I’m supposed to be doing.”
On Monday, Brenda volunteers at the Pike County Correctional Facility, teaching Bible Study.
On Tuesday, she’s a substitute “Meals on Wheels” driver, out of the Hawley Senior Center. She enjoys spending time with the seniors and calling Bingo at the Center. “They all have their own stories. They all come from different places. They just want to be remembered. They just want to feel important. I think that’s eventually what we’ll all want,” she said.
Tuesday is also the day that Brenda volunteers at CMC Hospital at the Chaplain’s Office, visiting patients. “It’s very rewarding. It’s being there when people need you at their most vulnerable moments. It’s just letting people know they’re never alone. And if I can connect them with God, then that’s the area they need to be at.”
“It all comes down to need. If there’s a need — there I am. My husband Cort calls me a connector. I connect people to things they need. I just fill needs,” she says.
On Wednesday, Brenda volunteers with Wayne Memorial Hospital in Community Education. “I help in the department with community outreach, whatever they need,” she said.
Wednesday is also Dessin Animal Shelter day for Brenda. “I walk the dogs and hold the cats,” she says. “It’s a cheap therapy session. You can tell them whatever you want. It’s unconditional love,” she says with a laugh. She also tells people, “If you want to lose weight, go walk the dogs.”
On Thursday, Brenda volunteers with the American Red Cross, helping both the Scranton and Wayne-Pike chapters by teaching First Aid and Community Disaster Education Classes. She’s also a Disaster Services Human Resources member. “When there’s a disaster, I get deployed for three weeks to go to the disaster,” she said. Brenda did emergency services for over 20 years as both a nurse and EMT.
On Friday, Brenda is a substitute at the Hawley Public Library. She also devotes part of her day to visiting people in nursing homes in the area.
On Saturday, she helps out with the Thanksgiving Together Program, what she calls the Honesdale soup kitchen, held every Saturday at either the First Presbyterian Church of Honesdale or the Grace Episcopal Church, Honesdale. If she’s not needed there, she’s attending classes. She’s a certified Lay Speaker.
On Sunday, she and her husband host coffee hour at their church. “We love our church,” she said of the Lakeville United Methodist Church. Brenda and Cort are married nearly 30 years, have two children: Vanessa and Eric, and a dog, named Duke.
Brenda’s wish? “I would like everyone to recognize that there’s so much we all can do. I really don’t want recognition. I want people to do as much as they can. The reason I do what I do is because God tells me to do it. I don’t want the glory. I get up every day and I go, ‘God, what do you want me to do today?”
If you know of a volunteer who we may interview, please contact Tammy Compton at (570)253-3055 or e-mail tcompton@wayneindependent.com.