In this series, the Gazette-Journal shines the light on residents who are working to make this a better place.
When there’s charity work to be done in Gloucester County, chances are Marsha Germek will have a hand in it.
A Samaritan Group volunteer since 2014, Germek has become known as the go-to person to find resources and assistance for those in need.
It started back when Germek was an employee of the Gloucester Housing Partnership, which shared an office with the Samaritans. Paid by the Partnership, she found the time to do things for the Samaritans, as well. When she retired from her job, she joined the Samaritans’ board, dedicating much of her time to the organization.
A typical day finds Germek interacting with a wide range of other organizations in the county, from Social Services to the Giving Garden to Three Rivers Healthy Families and others, all in the interest of providing financial assistance to families and individuals in need.
Maybe a client has an unexpected $1,000 electric bill, said Germek, in which case she’ll work with other organizations to eke out a little bit here and a little bit there until there’s money to cover it and help a family that’s down on its luck get back on its feet. If a teenager wants to go to science camp but needs support, the Samaritans’ J.D. Briggs Fund can help make it possible.
“I try to think outside the box,” said Germek. “If I can’t help you, I refer you. The people we work with are all supportive, and we work together to help the community. It’s a partnership with other agencies that comes back around.”
Germek has always kept herself busy helping people. She joined the U.S. Navy right out of high school and served for eight years, but during that time, she married “an Army guy” and volunteered for the Army Community Service, putting in over 1,000 hours in three years. She became pregnant and left the Navy, then spent 30 years with Social Security before retiring and becoming a pastor. But that didn’t last long because she was needed to care for her grandchildren, so she did that instead. Then she “fell into” the Housing Partnership job, and that became a personal ministry. Now it’s the Samaritans.
Germek said she’s on call all the time because she likes what she does and misses it when she’s not there.
“When people are calling, it’s a need,” she said. “When we pay the power bill, it keeps the lights on. When we pay the rent, it keeps them in their home. It really makes a difference to be able to help.”
In addition to the Samaritan Group, Germek serves through her church. After 20 years at Bethany United Methodist, she moved to Susanna Wesley Methodist, where she’s served on the worship committee, as a trustee, and as a lay speaker, and she even preaches on occasion.
Sometimes people will call the Samaritan office in tears, said Germek, and the only thing she can do at that moment is pray with them on the phone.
“Serving goes hand-in-hand,” she said. “However you choose to serve, it’s still serving.”
Editor’s note: The Gazette-Journal welcomes suggestions for the Community Spotlight. Please call 804-693-3101 or email editor@gazettejournal.net.