PARTNERSHIP OF SERVICE

JACKSON -- After 10 years of marriage, Gilbert and Jeanette Leimer still do everything together.

The American Red Cross, the Jackson Senior Center, St. Francis Hospital and the Jackson Food Pantry reap the benefits.

The Leimers volunteer time at all those organizations.

Gilbert helped found and now manages the food bank, which each month supplies donated food to more than 100 families in the region. An ardent gardener, Gilbert raises vegetables for the food bank.

Wednesdays, the Leimers work the desk at the senior center. Gilbert also is the center's treasurer and handyman.

He is retired and formerly managed a feed store in Jackson.

"I always wanted to keep busy," he says, explaining the amount of time he devotes to volunteer work. "And I like to help other people."

Volunteering is rewarding, Jeanette says.

"I just want to help other people."

One way they help out is by answering the phone at the intensive care unit at St. Francis Hospital.

Their work for the Red Cross began eight years ago. Back then they were labeling blood bags in preparation for blood drives. Then the Food and Drug Administration began requiring the work be done by a nurse, the Leimers switched to clerical activities.

They've been counted on when the Red Cross has been called on in disasters, say Mary Burton, executive director of the American Red Cross Cape Girardeau County Chapter.

She said the Leimers stopped by a few days ago to give money because they heard donations to the organization were down.

"These are the type of people who are always there, ready and willing to quietly go about doing volunteer services," she said.

""Never expecting to get accolades for it, never expecting to get anything out of these services for their fellow man.

"I think they do it simply for the joy for doing it. Wouldn't the world be a wonderful place if we had more people doing that?"