A volunteer with a heart for the people
After the flooding was over and his church remained untouched, Pastor Tom was contacted by Volunteer Services of Carlton County to volunteer as a sheriff’s department chaplain for the Barnum community. He's been that and more.By: Jolynne Denman, Pine Journal
- Pastor Tom Schaer
George Bernard Shaw once said, “I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live.” Pastor Tom Schaer from Sandy Lake Baptist Church is a strong example of just such a dedicated worker for the community.
After the flooding was over and his church remained untouched, Pastor Tom was contacted by Volunteer Services of Carlton County to volunteer as a sheriff’s department chaplain for the Barnum community.
“It was a reality to get prepared to serve, for it was so devastating,” Pastor Tom said. “It was a great opportunity to help out in our own backyard.”
Having served for Volunteer Services in Cloquet and as a Christian Disaster Relief volunteer, Pastor Tom is a seasoned worker. From mucking out basements all around Barnum to providing shelter and food for volunteers and flood victims, he wanted to show his dedication and his love for his community. Pastor Tom explained that some of the houses he visited belonged to former flood relief volunteers years ago, and now they were in need of help.
“You are very aware they are servers,” Pastor Tom said. “And the tables are turned on them to be served. They are happy to have all this help.”
Being busy with helping the community, Pastor Tom’s work went unnoticed by his fellow teammates and colleagues.
“He has helped us with sheltering, the flood relief center, chaplaincy, and mudding out homes,” said Jill Hatfield, Volunteer Services coordinator. “He has such a heart for people and our communities – a true servant of God!”
Working alongside people from different walks of life and denominations never stopped this pastor from fulfilling his duty.
“We are not from the same denomination,” he said, “but we are serving for one purpose – to help this community.”
Tags: faces of the flood, life, updates
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