The Addictive Joy of Giving Back: Meet Jim Stuckey

If you happen to live off of 40th Street or Lakewood Drive in Phenix City, you probably remember seeing a guy picking up trash on the side of the road. He even waves to you as you pass by in your vehicle. Maybe you even know his name. If not, let me introduce you to Jim Stuckey.

In addition to keeping our neighborhood streets clean, Jim Stuckey serves an important role as a volunteer at Make the World Mobile. Most Thursday mornings you'll find him doing whatever is needed. He is sometimes painting plywood for mobility cart seats or even cleaning the bathrooms. Whatever is needed, Jim is willing.

"Once you come, you just get swept up in the opportunity to serve others. It's addictive, absolutely addictive," says Jim.

Many of Jim's volunteer activities have been slowed over the past year due several health related issues. Notice I said slowed, not stopped. If Jim's doctors had their way, Jim would be in a hospital room at Emory undergoing intravenous antibiotics. Instead, he is at home taking oral antibiotics.

I caught up with Jim on Thursday at the shop where he was painting plywood.

I asked Jim how long had he been a volunteer with Make the World Mobile. He answered, "ever since I found out about it." We guess that's been 3 or 4 years.

Like many of our volunteers, Jim found out about this ministry through a friend. In this case Gary Forrester, a volunteer and longtime friend.

"Once you come, you just get swept up in the opportunity to serve others. It's addictive, absolutely addictive," says Jim.

We do have lots of opportunities in our community to serve and Jim finds time to serve in many ways, but he always makes time to serve the leg disabled.

"Being leg disabled myself, I've had 18 knee surgeries, I fight with disability," Jim stated. Being a part of an organization which "offered people a way to get around," is important to him.

Jim then brought up The Video. If you have been to our shop, you've seen The Video. It's furnished to us by our remarkable Kenya based distribution ally, Partners for Care. The Video shows the story of how the Mobility Carts are used in a compelling and heartwarming fashion.

According to Jim, "if it doesn't touch your heart, something's wrong, something's wrong."

"I'm 70 and still able to make a difference. I try to pray every day, 'Lord, let me make a difference in the world,' and yes, He does!"

"I can't build houses any more but I can build these Mobility Carts. I've still got a pretty good mind, so God finds ways to use me."

Jim inspires everyone in the shop. He adds, "I'm walking without a walker or anything. The Lord just took care of everything, everything."

If you are a volunteer, like Jim, please know that that no Mobility Cart is completed your gift of time and talents . If you are a donor, know that nothing is built without your gift which allows materials to be purchased. Thank you for we all know that "every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father..." James 1:17.

Thank you for continuing to serve Him as He directs.