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Taking Care Of Others

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By LAURA CONE The Sun

Published: March 11, 2009

Elaine and Dick Gibbs of Sun City Center take to heart a Sun City Center Emergency Squad motto, "neighbors taking care of neighbors."

They give of their time as volunteers for their church and community organizations. They are so giving, they even give grapefruit from their tree, lining up bags of juicy white grapefruit along the golf cart path in their backyard for golfers.

Individually, Elaine gives by administering communion to Catholic patients at South Bay Hospital. She visits and prays with patients as a Eucharistic minister for Prince of Peace Catholic Church.

"Today I met with 28 people. Sometimes I have as many as 50 people I visit," Elaine said.

She said it's rewarding to help patients, some of whom are without their families.

"I will be a 10-year survivor of breast cancer in July," she said. "I learned life is fragile. We believe in giving back because we have been very fortunate."

Not long ago, she was confined to a body cast due to a back injury. Elaine was amazed by the outpouring of sympathy and support as neighbors brought food to their home.

Dick said people in Sun City Center truly take care of their neighbors.

"If you are gone the neighbors will come and water your flowers," Dick said.

Bob Spitzner of Sun City Center said he got to know the Gibbs because his wife, also named Elaine, volunteered on Team 7 of the Emergency Squad with Elaine Gibbs.

"They are a neat couple," Bob Spitzner said of the Gibbs. "They do a lot for a lot of people. We try to get together to eat once a month. We are quite close."

Bob said people have given Dick the nickname, "Oil Can Gibbs," because he is so handy. Dick regularly fixes sewing machines donated to the Nearly New shop. Those machines are then sold for the charity. He also works at Nearly New twice a week selling items and making repairs.

"They are upbeat people," Bob said. "They help a lot of people."

Originally from Grand Rapids, Mich., the couple moved to Sun City Center in 1995. Dick worked in construction for 20 years and had several businesses. But now, Dick plays softball with the Sun City Center Softball Club twice a week to help stay active. He also belongs to the over 70 Traveler's Team.

"It's a bunch of good guys," Dick said. "Usually there are 80 to 100 of us. We are all pretty good guys."
Elaine Gibbs is the treasurer of the Interfaith Social Action Council of Sun City Center. They also spent 11 years volunteering for the Sun City Center Security Patrol prior to Elaine's back injuries.

When they are relaxing at home, the Gibbs grow tomatoes, cucumbers, pineapple and peppers in earth boxes. In October, the couple will have a chance to live one of their own dreams by taking a trip to Greece to see the pyramids and the Greek Isles.

Editor Laura Cone may be reached at lcone@mediageneral.com.

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