Sherrie Downs wakes up every morning with a goal to serve others in any way she can.
She always keeps others in mind and has instilled the importance of serving others into her seven children, who have instilled the same values onto their children. Each day, Downs and her husband look for someone they can help, whether they need a ride, a meal or just a friend. She puts together many flower arrangements from her garden to give along with food to those in need.
"Every morning, we just pray that the Lord will direct us to people who have needs that we can fulfill," she said. "I try really hard to be as charitable as possible."
Downs recently received the annual Fisher Family Good Samaritan Award. Redemption Inside the Walls and News Tribune partnered to select five good Samaritans who have gone above and beyond to help Mid-Missouri.
Downs used to be an activity director at two local nursing homes, and her compassion to the residents was immense. She came home exhausted each day, but satisfied knowing she had made a difference. Although she has retired from that vocation, she continues to work as a caregiver and companion to an 89-year-old woman with severe Alzheimer's who lights up when she enters the room.
"I try to just do whatever I can to make her day better and give her family some respite care, and it's such a privilege to be paid for giving service," she said. "I feel guilty sometimes about it because I would go and do it anyway."
About six years ago, Downs began volunteering at The Pantry JC where she continues to spend several hours a week serving on the board as the volunteer coordinator. Her drive to recruit volunteers has been an important part in the success of the organization, and her ever-energized attitude has helped The Pantry serve hundreds of people.
"I think I'm the most passionate about figuring out ways that we can reach out to people and take a little bit of anxiety of out of their life just for a couple of days," Downs said.
Many years ago, she taught classes to help parents and teachers develop better skills in working with children. To this day, people still come up to her and thank her for all she taught them. She also often helps people with their finances and loves seeing people realize they have the power to turn their lives around.
"The Lord has just kind of placed these people in my life," she said. "I think it's a gift. I just love to help people."
While serving on a mission trip in Sacramento and seeing people who couldn't speak much English, Downs felt for them knowing they couldn't confidently communicate with people in their day-to-day life. She now teaches English classes twice a week to Spanish-speaking people.
"I speak no Spanish at all, so it's really a challenge, but it's just so exciting that I can give them a small tool to go out and be able to get groceries and shop and go to the bank and talk to their doctor and things like that," she said. "That's my other passion. I just really love being able to serve the Hispanic community and not even speak Spanish."
Her calling is to give people the tools they need, she said, whether it's spiritual uplifting, food, knowledge in finances or language, or anything that may be limiting them from their full potential.
"I ache for people who don't have the tools they need," she said. "I love to see people change their lives, whether it's spiritually, mentally or physically."
Downs has always had immense empathy and a natural drive to help others.
"Even when I was young, I remember my heart being touched if I saw a homeless person or just someone who was struggling in some way," she said. "I just saw the need out there and began to realize that I have people close to me that need more support."
Her health hasn't been the best during the last few months, but you wouldn't know it by observing her. She puts her pain aside as she goes out the door with flowers to serve others.
"On judgement day, I want to be able to say I did my best and helped as many people as I could," she said.
The other four Fisher Family Good Samaritan Award recipients are Margaret Thoenen, Erin Evans, Lisa Breedlove and Heather Gieck.
Related:
Good Samaritans recognized at Redemption Inside the Walls
Lisa Breedlove there for those in need
Erin Evans strives to help children in need
Margaret Thoenen takes time to care for others
Heather Gieck uses past hardships to help others heal