From 1991 to 1993, Fortune and her husband became Peace Corps volunteers in South Malaita in the Solomon Islands. These days, Fortune is actively volunteering at Laudholm Trust in Wells and Sanford's Senior College. She's also involved with the Red Hat Ladies. While in the Peace Corps, Fortune noticed a lack of children's books in the schools of South Malaita. She wrote to friends back home and received more than 140 boxes of children's books, as well as writing pads, pencils and small toys for the children. At Laudholm, Fortune became the "garbage lady," sorting recyclables from other trash at various events. She still works at the trust as a "mail lady," folding and sending out mailings to members. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Fortune urged friends to join her in sending boxes of home-baked cookies to police and fire stations in New York City. Fortune was part of the York County Senior College's "Odyssey of the Mind" that fairly recently participated in a national competition and won, proving that elders can still compete and have fun doing it. Fortune encouraged the Massabesic students in her audience to visit nursing homes, do yard work for elderly neighbors, volunteer at the "Mama Mia" spaghetti and pasta suppers that benefit York County Shelter Programs and work with Habitat for Humanity. "It's the little things that you do with love; the gift of your time, that is priceless," Fortune concluded.
Solomon Islands RPCV Lottie Fortune became the "garbage lady," sorting recyclables from other trash at various events and still works at the trust as a "mail lady," folding and sending out mailings to members
Betty Morrison: Massabesic High School students recognized for outstanding service to communities
Thursday, May 7, 2009
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Caption: "Volunteer Extraordinaire" Lottie Fortune speaks at the Massabesic Lions Club Annual Youth Recognition Night.
The Massabesic Lions Club recently honored Massabesic High School students Kaila Bucklin, Ian Clockedile, Derek Cloutier, Luke Hamilton, Abby Harnik and Nikki-Anne Healey for their outstanding service to their communities.
After a dinner at the Lions Den, local volunteer Lottie Fortune, of Sanford, addressed the students and the Lions. She told them that Mother Teresa is her inspiration for volunteerism.
"Mother Teresa served the poorest of the poor not by doing great things, but by little acts of compassion," Fortune explained, noting that she wanted to do the same.
Fortune is a former high school health and physical education teacher, professor at Salem State College, and director of volunteer services at a hospital in Gallatin, Tennessee. She still wanted to serve others after her retirement. From 1991 to 1993, Fortune and her husband became Peace Corps volunteers in South Malaita in the Solomon Islands.
These days, Fortune is actively volunteering at Laudholm Trust in Wells and Sanford's Senior College. She's also involved with the Red Hat Ladies.
While in the Peace Corps, Fortune noticed a lack of children's books in the schools of South Malaita. She wrote to friends back home and received more than 140 boxes of children's books, as well as writing pads, pencils and small toys for the children.
At Laudholm, Fortune became the "garbage lady," sorting recyclables from other trash at various events. She still works at the trust as a "mail lady," folding and sending out mailings to members.
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Fortune urged friends to join her in sending boxes of home-baked cookies to police and fire stations in New York City.
Fortune was part of the York County Senior College's "Odyssey of the Mind" that fairly recently participated in a national competition and won, proving that elders can still compete and have fun doing it.
Fortune encouraged the Massabesic students in her audience to visit nursing homes, do yard work for elderly neighbors, volunteer at the "Mama Mia" spaghetti and pasta suppers that benefit York County Shelter Programs and work with Habitat for Humanity.
"It's the little things that you do with love; the gift of your time, that is priceless," Fortune concluded.
