The Call To Serve

Monday, January 18th will mark this year’s National observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The annual remembrance of this inspiring, courageous man and his legacy has now come into its own tradition as a “call to service” for all Americans. Dr. King, in one of his famous quotations describes service as something we are all capable of: “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve…You don’t need to have a college degree to serve…you don’t need to make your subject and verb agree to serve…you only need a heart full of grace—a soul generated by love…”

We here at St. Anthony’s have just learned that one of our own inspiring and courageous volunteers has passed away, unexpectedly. Joan Dangel, a volunteer in the Dining Room for nearly 22 years, and an active member of the St. Anthony’s “Stitchers” for even longer, will be dearly remembered and missed! Her legacy and example of service however, will remain a living model of “…a heart full of grace—a soul generated by love…” Joan’s tools of service here at St. Anthony’s were a sewing needle and thread, as she worked with her talented “co-Stitchers” these many years making & repairing clothing for the children and adult clients of St. Anthony Foundation. A couple of other signature tools Joan used well were her trademark maroon “St. Anthony’s” Dining Room apron, embroidered with her name (as one of our long-term volunteers), and her characteristic comfy “fishing hat” brimming her friendly eyes and smile. Yes—a needle and thread, an apron and hat—but it was really what “powered” those tools that mattered most: Joan’s “heart full of grace”; Joan’s “soul generated by love”.

Thank you, Joan! Our prayers for your wonderful family; and our gratitude from all the many of us you made feel like family! May you be having joyful reunions & greetings with those gone before you: relatives, former St. Anthony volunteers and guests, perhaps even Dr. King himself! As we each here–volunteers, staff, guests & clients, friends—do our best to genuinely live out our own unique ways of service, your gentle and lasting commitment remains to encourage us all.