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Mildred Hartnett, 80, volunteers at the Seventh-day Adventist Community Center in Fredericksburg.
For 20 years, Mildred Hartnett has worked with the Seventh-day Adventist Community Center's thrift shop, food pantry and emergency fund program. |
By CATHY DYSON
Mildred Hartnett is all about helping people, as long as they're willing to help themselves.
Hartnett, who turned 80 recently, volunteers at least three days a week at the Fredericksburg Seventh-day Adventist Church's community center on Caroline Street in Fredericksburg.
She helped start the center in a small building on Lafayette Boulevard 20 years ago and has directed its thrift shop, food pantry and emergency fund through various relocations.
Harnett, who lives in King George County, helps arrange the donated clothes and knickknacks for sale and meets with people who need financial assistance.
With each application, she doles out a hug and a prayer--and scrutiny born from living through the Depression.
For instance, there are not many criteria people have to meet to get the one-time assistance of $25. It doesn't matter where a person lives or how much he or she makes.
Hartnett fills out a simple form that is turned in to the church treasurer, who writes the check.
But there is one thing that Hartnett wants to know from those who come to her, often referred by social services agencies.
Do they have cable TV?
If so, she asks that they cut the service she considers a luxury--and bring her proof--before they get the cash.
Applicants are sometimes offended, but Hartnett stands her ground.
"Everything we do in here is done by volunteers. People sacrifice to keep this going," she said. "Why should we not ask the people we're helping to sacrifice, too?"
'SHE'S THE QUIET ONE'
Recently, Hartnett was honored by the church for her work at the center.
"She is an amazing woman, who shows the love of Christ to all she meets," said fellow member Tommie Melendez. "Her church family appreciates and praises her faithful service."
Hartnett joked that the speakers exaggerated.
Truth is, she'd rather stay in the background than be the center of attention, at home or in public.
"We're a loud, boisterous family, and she's the quiet one," said Kelly Wilkinson, the youngest of her nine children.
Hartnett was born in Blackstone and spent most of her life in nearby Petersburg. Her family didn't have electricity until she was 16, and they lived in tents for several years.
"My father was building a house, but he wasn't real fast about it," she said, laughing.
She was a child of the Depression and had her share of fatback sandwiches for lunch--maybe that's why she doesn't eat meat anymore. Her mother ran a community ministry similar to what the Adventists have on Caroline Street.
Many times, Hartnett's mother would come home without the coat she left with that morning. She gave it away, to someone in need.
When Hartnett raised her own family, theirs was the house where kids gathered.
"Every kid in the neighborhood knew, even though we had nine mouths to feed, that they were always welcome for dinner," Hartnett said.
'SHE'S DONE HER DUTY'
Hartnett cooked three hot meals a day when her children were young and her husband, Thomas, was a sheet metal mechanic. The couple have been married for 61 years, and these days the two eat out six nights out of seven.
"She's done her duty," Wilkinson said.
The two also see a lot of their extended family, which includes 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Everyone in the family has asked Mildred Hartnett to cut back a little on her ministry. She still works full days at the community center at least three times a week, and fills in when one of the other dozen volunteers can't make it.
The schedule has given her a sense of purpose, her daughter said.
"I think it's actually kept her young," Wilkinson said.
Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Email: cdyson@freelancestar.com
She and her husband, Thomas, who's 86 and still working, raised nine children. She read them Seventh-day Adventist devotions each morning, then sent them off to Catholic schools.
Despite their different religious beliefs, the Hartnetts share the same philosophy on being frugal and helping others. Often at Christmastime, he would make sure the family helped others who were in need before they bought presents for their own children.
A wooden plaque on the desk of Mildred Hartnett's cramped office
"You can think. You can feel. You can solve your problems. You can take care of yourself. Yes, you can!"
