There when they're needed
By:Deb Grayson, Leader managing editor
01/24/2007
Willing to always go out of their way for others but never
wanting any recognition. Always the first to volunteer and the last to want
any accolades. Willing to do whatever it takes to get a job done but very
shy when it comes to being praised.
Sentiments like that are a resounding message from friends and peers and
testimony to one of the many reasons Ron and Mary Begg have been chosen the
Leader Persons of the Year.
From visiting with friends and fellow volunteers of the Beggs, one quickly
learns that this Bellevue couple is busy from sun up to sun down, and busy
not in a self-indulgent way - no, not at all - but busy in every way they
can find to help their fellow man, woman and child.
A retired military couple and the parents of two grown children, together
and independently, Ron and Mary are active in a myriad of volunteer
capacities in and outside of Bellevue.
* * *
About a dozen years ago, following his retirement from the Air Force, Ron
joined his wife, Mary, already a steady and faithful volunteer, at the
Bellevue Food Pantry. And last fall when the pantry's longtime director
decided to step down from his post, without hesitation, the Beggs stepped
up.
"They've been doing a wonderful job," said Russ Hankins, a longtime pantry
volunteer. "They publicize the pantry's needs very well and they've set up
the pantry so that everything runs very smoothly."
Hankins said the pantry's ongoing ability to provide groceries for the
community's needy is testimony to the Begg's ability to reach out to the
community with a message of appreciation for the many donations.
* * *
Members of Immanuel Lutheran Church since 1986, the Beggs have served in
nearly capacity imaginable. Together they coordinate the church's Pep Club,
an over-55 group who enjoys programs and get-togethers designed specifically
for that age group. Ron, who is also an usher at the church, has served on
the church council, several boards and the building committee. And Mary, a
former Sunday School teacher at Immanuel Lutheran, currently oversees a
toddler group - a gathering of moms and preschoolers who meet once a week to
discuss a Bible story and have playtime. The couple also participates in
Bible Study classes and serves as greeters and lectors. In addition, Mary is
active with the Altar Guild.
"Anything that needs to be done, they do it," said Judy Woods, Immanuel's
church secretary. "They don't want any glory for the things they do. They
just want to be the behind-the-scenes people who want to do whatever they
can do to get things done."
It's not uncommon for the Beggs to bring the message of that Sunday's
worship service to shut-ins, and even more common to see the Beggs pull up
to church with an extra passenger or two - people who need a ride to Sunday
worship service and call the Beggs knowing the answer is always "yes."
"Ron and Mary are the epitome of our church's mission statement ... God with
us. Growing in grace. Gifted for service," said Terry Nielson, pastor at
Immanuel Lutheran Church. "God is the center of their lives, and they live
out that mission statement in so many ways."
Nielson said the Beggs have no idle time and that all of their time and
abilities are used wisely.
"They are wonderful, wonderful people and we are blessed to have them at
Immanuel Lutheran Church," he said.
* * *
Another volunteer opportunity dear to the hearts of the Beggs is Habitat for
Humanity of Sarpy County. Years ago,
Ron joined Habitat as a house builder and today is extremely instrumental in
the funding process for the organization. And, as always, Mary is quite
supportive of her husband's involvement with yet another group.
"I think it is safe to say, Habitat for Humanity of Sarpy County would not
be where it is today without Ron Begg," said Ivna Johnson, president of
HFHSC. "He works very, very hard for Habitat and doesn't quit until the job
is finished."
Currently serving as vice president of the HFHSC board of directors, Ron
also spends a great deal of time researching and applying for grants,
Johnson said.
"He is very particular about each funding process and makes sure everything
is done right," she said.
Margaret Stamp is executive director of HFHSC and echoes Johnson's comments.
"No matter what, Ron is willing to put in the time and do whatever it takes
to get the job done," Stamp said. "In addition to that, he is a very giving
person and a good friend to all of us here at Habitat."
Stamp said, as did everyone who shared their thoughts on the Beggs, that
this is one couple who does what they do just for the sake of doing it.
"Ron and Mary don't like to be thanked for the things they do. They just see
something that needs to be done and they do it," Stamp said. "But I hope
they know how much we truly appreciate everything they do."
* * *
As if running the food pantry, their extensive church involvement and their
volunteerism with HFHSC weren't enough, the Beggs also find time to be
active participants in the Visiting Nurse Association's Family Friends - a
program designed to reach out to family's with children who have special
needs. Mary became involved with the group several years ago, said Andrea
Witt, support service manager for VNA, when she became a significant source
of support to a military family with children who were autistic.
"Mary really stepped forward at a crucial time for this family," Witt said.
"And when that family was transferred, Mary was right there for another
family who needed her."
Along the way, Ron joined his wife in the Family Friends program, and today
the couple spends at least one day a week with a child who needs their love
and support, and at the same time they are giving the gift of time to a mom
who needs a break.
"Family Friends is a wonderful program with a lot of good people involved in
it," Witt said. "But the Beggs have taken it a step further and become very
significant in the lives of this family because they reach out and they see
this child on a consistent basis."
* * *
J.J. Kuzma has known Ron and Mary since they were all Bellevue East High
School band parents back in the 1980s.
Kuzma said the Beggs' involvement in their community goes back to the first
day the family set foot on Bellevue soil and continues in earnest to this
day.
"This is a couple that makes everyone step back and wonder, 'where do they
find the time and the energy?'" Kuzma said. "They are like a couple of busy
bees that just won't stop."
While their days as band parents have long since passed, Kuzma said he is
happy and proud to be working with the Beggs in another volunteer program.
This one is called Winter Night Watch, a program Kuzma coordinates through
the Salvation Army. An evening program that provides hot meals, gloves,
scarves and sometimes coats to Omaha's homeless or near homeless population,
the Beggs take a turn several times a month driving the big RV-type vehicle
through the streets of Omaha in search of the area's most needy. This is the
third year the Beggs have volunteered, and Kuzma said he is grateful for
every moment the Beggs give to the program.
"They are very Christian-minded and very neighbor-loving people. Everything
they do is just a thing of pure love," Kuzma said. "They are a blessing to
know and it's a blessing that they are being recognized for all of the
wonderful things they do."
The Bellevue Leader agrees and is happy to recognize Ron and Mary Begg as
the Leader Persons of the Year. Congratulations, Ron and Mary!
©Suburban Newspapers 2007