Sister Gloria Haider
Winter Texans! I always thought that Winter Texans were people who went to warm places in the winter and spent most of their time basking in the sun. Through working at the Catholic Charities Respite Center in McAllen, Tex., for the past five months, my perception of Winter Texans has changed. Some do bask in the sun, but I’ve met five Winter Texans at the respite center who have volunteered to spend their time working long hours.
Susan and Duane came from Iowa about four months ago and left about two weeks ago. Susan worked in the laundry area washing, drying and folding thousands of towels every week. Duane mostly helped with repairs and other odd jobs. When the center needed a different shower truck, the Salvation Army donated one and it was Duane who directed the workers in connecting pipes, etc.
Carolyn and Joe Karner came from Nebraska five months ago and will leave at the end of March. Carolyn has helped the children find a set of clothes that fit. Joe has worked in the baby room giving mothers diapers, powdered milk, hand wipes and baby clothes. They also have helped hand out hygiene products. Their smiles are contagious.
Finally, Dennis Epps came from South Dakota to spend three months at the center. Sisters Shirley Mueller and Mary Hroscikoski met Dennis in 2014, when he helped at the respite center when it was at Sacred Heart Parish. This year Dennis mostly worked making countless sandwiches and fixing snack bags for the immigrants for their journey to connect with their sponsors. Dennis celebrated his 91st birthday about two weeks before he returned to South Dakota in mid-March. Before he left McAllen, we invited him to our house for supper. We had a wonderful visit with him, and will see him this coming December when he comes back to volunteer.
Even though they weren’t Winter Texans, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention three retired school teachers from the St. Paul school district who spent December volunteering at the center. I’ve met other wonderful volunteers from Minnesota also.
Relationships are what it is about. And I have been blessed to meet all these people. I admire them for their selflessness and hard work in giving of their time and gifts. They are role models for me on my own journey.
Pictured, Joe and Carolyn Karner, Winter Texans from Nebraska, have volunteered at the respite center for five months. They will be deeply missed.
