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Monday, February 14, 2000
Woman turned part-time job into full-time service
Volunteer feels church bookkeeping is part of God's plan for her
By Guy H. Lawrence
Caller-Times
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| David Adame/Caller-Times |
| Robin Ray (left) watches Wilson Brown, 5, Tuesday at the Vinson Morris Children's Center at First United Methodist Church. |
When what Robin Ray thought might be a two-week, part-time stint helping in her church's childcare office turned into 12 months of dedicated volunteerism, she didn't mind.
"When you think that this is what God wanted you to do, it is not like a chore," Ray said.
Ray, 39, gleaned her bookkeeping skills from years of service in several civic organizations, including serving a term as treasurer for the Junior League of Corpus Christi.
Those skills eventually led to a job at the First United Methodist Church's business office, she said. For Ray, who earned a microbiology degree and worked as an aquarist at the Texas State Aquarium, her experience seemed like part of God's plan for her.
"Nonprofit bookkeeping is the talent that God gave me," Ray said.
In the summer of 1996, Ray filled in while the church officials searched for an office manager, said Delia Valdez, director of the center.
During that time, Ray received childcare tuition, listened to parent complaints and helped teachers. Ray also served six years on childcare center's board.
"The children and their families were able to function as usual because of her effort to help keep things running smoothly," Valdez said.
The church found an office administrator, but that arrangement didn't work out and Robin pitched in again. So from February through July of 1997, Ray continued to work in the childcare center's business office.
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| David Adame/Caller-Times |
| Robin Ray volunteered for a year at the Vinson Morris Children's Center at the First United Methodist Church. |
She had the time and skills for the effort because of her treasurer experience in the Junior League and the yearlong sabbatical from the group.
"I can see how God's hand was in all of this," she said.
Ray, who is corresponding secretary for the Junior League, said that while some members work out in the field on some projects, her strength and expertise has been working behind the scenes in the offices.
Ray's other civic involvement includes six years on the Vinson Morris Children's Center board, of which she served four years as chairwoman.
She is also a charter member and current chairwoman of the Paws & Claws Auxiliary of the Gulf Coast Humane Society, where she also served as treasurer.
She is also a member of the Junior Cotillion Club and the Corpus Christi Community Concerts organization.
Ray has been recognized as part of the ninth annual Caller-Times/Channel 6 Jefferson Volunteer Awards, which celebrate community volunteerism.
Nominations are accepted throughout the year, and a community panel each month selects four honorees to be featured in future articles in the Caller-Times and on Channel 6 News.
In April, 10 Jefferson Award winners - selected from among the volunteers featured throughout the year - will receive medallions for their efforts to enrich their communities and the lives of their neighbors.
Staff writer Guy H. Lawrence can be reached at 886-3792 or by e-mail at lawrenceg@caller.com
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