A Servant's Heart

One of the biggest blessings at Christian Service Mission are the volunteers. Volunteers have come at our warehouse every spare minute they have, which shows not only their dedication but their servant's heart. One volunteer in particular, Gwen Harkness, has been here since the first we first started mobilizing for the tornado relief efforts. Gwen was personally effected by Katrina, and knew what is was like going through a natural disaster. Today is Gwen's birthday, and she is spending her birthday serving others at Christian Service Mission. Rubin Grant, a freelance writer, was personally touched by Gwen's spirit and decided to write about her. Below is his story of Gwen and how much she has not only impacted our organization but those effected by the tornadoes. Thank you Gwen and Rubin for everything you have done, and Happy Birthday Gwen!

Love for People Inspires Volunteers to Help Tornado Victims

by Rubin E. Grant

Gwen Harkness looked diligently in the box for a sleeping bag, one of the items requested for victims of the April 27 tornadoes in Alabama. She grabbed a trash bag with something in it and tossed it to another woman, who tore the bag open. Inside was a large quilted comforter and Harkness told the woman to take it because the folks could use it. Moments later, a man approached Harkness with a list of things on a notepad. She hurried off with him to a waiting truck to make sure he had loaded what was needed.

Harkness is one of the many volunteers who have shown up at the Christian Service Mission on the Southside, which has been used as a supply house of food and merchandise for tornado victims. An energetic blond woman who turns 63 on May 22, Harkness arrived at CSM on April 30, the day after it began receiving donations and sending specific items to people in need around the state. “I just love helping people,” Harkness said. “I love a project. I build things. I built my granddaughter a castle and my grandson a fort.

“When I saw the damage the tornado had done, my heart went out to the people. I was so appreciative that God had spared us, so volunteering here is the least I could do. Harkness has been at CSM each day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., working as a supervisor over the clothes and bedding donations. The only day she hasn’t been at the CSM since she began volunteering was Mother’s Day. Her take-charge attitude earned her a CSM name badge, awarded by CSM executive director Tracy Hipps. “On the first day, I saw a lot of Indians and not enough chiefs,” Harkness said. “Tracy told me if I could keep the clothing department moving that would be a great load off him.” She used a little humor to explain why she’s a perfect fit for the assignment. “I’m just a loud mouth Cajun from Louisiana and we like bossing people around, so I got the right job,” she said with a laugh.

“I try to take a difficult situation and put a little humor in it,” she added. “Humor is part of the healing process from all the trauma going around.”

Harkness has had her own share of hardships. She has been a widow since 1998 after husband Carlos died of a brain tumor. The couple was married almost 28 years. She moved to Birmingham from Opelousas, La., eight years ago when her daughter Kristina O’Quinn was expecting Harkness’ first grandchild. O’Quinn and her two children, 7-year-old daughter Aine Rose and 5-year-old son Jacque, also have been at CSM volunteering, making it a family affair.

Harkness, who attends Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, has witnessed the heart rendering impact volunteering at CSM has had on others. “One of the most moving things was a lady from Mountain Brook who came in visibly distraught,” she said. “She said I have everything, a house and cars, anything I want. To see all these people lose so much when they didn’t have anything, I need to do something. I feel so guilty. “She was crying and I put her in the toy section (to separate the toys). With every toy she picked up, she cried and said she hoped it would help. At the end of the day, she found a little toy and said, ‘Can I keep it? I want to use this as a reminder.’ ” For Harkness, showing compassion for the tornado victims by volunteering at CSM was a no-brainer. “How can you not do something?” she asked rhetorically. “If you’ve got the time, the energy and a willing spirit, you ought to be out here.”

(Rubin E. Grant is a freelance writer living in Birmingham)

Email: ruegrant@aol.com

Phone: 205-789-3343