By BONNIE BARTEL LATINO
Special to Atmore News
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
~ Charles Dickens
‘Tis the season when many honor the birth of baby Jesus by helping others. Should anyone be looking for someone local who is a hard worker and deserving of Christmas good will, someone who is more comfortable giving than receiving, please consider my friend, Theresa Scott.
Theresa works for numerous Atmore families, keeping their homes and gardens tidy. Theresa has helped my husband Tom and me for over 15 years. She has become like a sister-friend. She often does more than expected, especially since 2014 when I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and other chronic diseases.
Theresa Scott has a servant’s heart. Other of her clients would say the same, as would the YMCA students in her aerobics and Silver Sneaker classes.
She also volunteers with a youth group at Grace Fellowship Church. In that capacity during Atmore’s Christmas parade, sponsored annually by the Chamber of Commerce, she was accidentally injured when a float/trailer ran over her foot.
Fortunately, Theresa’s sister, Dolly, arrived from Atlanta Ga., just in time to take Theresa to medical appointments here and in Gulf Breeze Fla., and to surgery in Pensacola Fla.
Theresa is her only source of income. As for health care, she has a small policy through a group insurance plan. Still, she will have medical bills. She also has a mortgage, utility and power bills, plus daily living expenses.
Anyone who would like to assist this strong, independent woman can do so through Theresa’s church, which has already established a fund to assist her. They have graciously made it easy for other Atmore citizens to assist through that fund. Checks may be made to Grace Fellowship Church, annotated “For Theresa Scott” and mailed to the church at: 1412 E. Nashville Ave., Atmore AL 36502.
Theresa can submit her bills to Grace Fellowship for payment.
Another idea for would-be givers might be to purchase a gift certificate/card from a local restaurant like David’s Catfish House, Buster’s, etc., or a store like Winn-Dixie or Walmart, and mail them to me at: Bonnie Latino, 304 E. Laurel Street, Atmore, AL 36502. I will see that Theresa gets them, as well as Christmas cards or notes of encouragement.
Above all, please pray for speedy and complete healing for Theresa. Please also remember sweet Dolly in your prayers. Sincere thanks for your generosity to a woman so deserving of this community’s support.
For prayers and support, donors will truly be Christmas angels.
[Atmore native Bonnie Bartel Latino is an award-winning military journalist and novelist. A former columnist for Stars and Stripes in Europe, she writes for Atmore News and “atmore” magazine when her health allows.]