Anna Phalen
This month’s Good Neighbor is someone very near and dear to my heart.
I am pleased to announce our Good Neighbor of the Month, Helen Phalen.
After much coaxing, I was able to sit down with Helen. When asked how she felt about being this month’s Good Neighbor, her reply was:
“I feel humbled. I just feel showing kindness is a core value, to be a good neighbor, and to do unto others. I don’t think it’s the momentous things that make the biggest difference; it’s the small things. Like sharing flowers from your garden, visiting people who have been ill. The mission is to let people know they are important, that they matter.”
For as long as I can remember Helen has been a helper, a healer, a gardener, a crafter, a quilter—a jack of all trades they say, but the role she has always played best was The Giver. (And a mother, obviously).
If ever there is a time when someone is sick, or in recovery, there’s Helen, bringing over a hotdish and a card, that she most likely made herself.
Helen is active at her church. Currently, she is busy with her church’s adoption of a room for the Hope Center Project at the Care and Share in Crookston. This involves a group adopting a room for families and supplying all of the furnishings and linens. She also helps serve snacks at Vacation Bible School in the summer months and volunteers to help the church with the Home Delivered Meals Program.
Most recently, Helen has volunteered with the RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) in Crookston, Hospice, and does foot care for the residents at the Care and Share.
When I asked Helen how she heard that they needed foot care she responded, “I just offered because I felt it was something I wanted to do. I know the impact it would have on people to have a pedicure. It’s also a good time to visit—to hear who people really are.” (and Helen loves to visit)
With RSVP Helen picks up and delivers groceries to citizens that are homebound. She says it helps her stay busy and it feels good to help them in that way.
Currently in the works for Helen is making blankets for the animals at the local animal shelter, Scruffy Tails. Helen got the idea from watching a guest speaker on one of her favorite Prairie Public shows—Sewing With Nancy.
My evening with Helen wrapped up with asking her if there was a specific event or act of kindness in her life that she will never forget, without skipping a beat she said:
“Mrs. Brolsma (Jessie). She was my 3rd grade Sunday school teacher at Trinity Lutheran. She made me feel special and that I had gifts to share with the world…and my mom. Mom really instilled in me that No Kindness Is Ever Wasted.”
And, speaking as Anna, I think I will be saying those same words.
So that’s Helen. A woman this world needs more of.
Thank you, Helen, for being a Good Neighbor.
I love you mom.
To nominate a Good Neighbor send us a message on Facebook, Call (218) 289-0560, or Email akphalen@cherryroad.com
