It was a time to say thank you and send well wishes to a couple who have given much to Tallulah Falls. Gary and Donna Verdino were recognized for their volunteer work for the town and the area this year and over the last 23 years. The town held a potluck dinner Monday evening for the community to thank the couple for their contributions. The dinner was attended by at least 30 people, all expressing their gratitude and a fond farewell with blessings of safe travels.
The couple will be moving on to their next volunteer project this Friday morning when their 12 week stay in Tallulah Falls will conclude. They will be heading to a NOMADS mission project in northern Ohio.
The journey began in 2001 when the couple wanted to find a way to escape the summer heat in Florida after Donna retired. They read an article in the Orlando newspaper that they could vacation and volunteer at Georgia state parks and stay at the park for free as long as they volunteered at least 24 hours a week. They planned their summer vacations for 12 weeks, typically the months of June, July, and August.
Tallulah Gorge State Park
The Verdino’s plan was they would camp and volunteer at a different park every year. The first park they stayed at was Tallulah Gorge State Park.
In their free time, they began going across the highway to the little town of Tallulah Falls to see the Bluegrass concerts and meet the people in town. “We attended the Bluegrass Opry House every Saturday night,” Donna said. “We fell in love with Miss Thelma at the post office and the different people that we met.”
She said that the first summer changed their plans. “We fell in love with this area. We fell in love with the people here and the community,” Donna said. They continued going every summer and volunteering at Tallulah Gorge State Park through 2008.
During those first few years, Gary became acquainted with then police chief Bill Goacher. Goacher learned that Gary could do just about anything, according to Donna. One summer, Goacher asked Gary to come volunteer for Tallulah Falls. The Verdino’s appreciated the offer but explained that the campground provided a place for their camper for free. Goacher offered for them to park their camper behind city hall. Donna said that she appreciated the offer but explained that the campground let them use the washers and dryers for free so they wouldn’t have to go to a laundromat. Goacher told them, “That’s not a problem. You can do your laundry at our house.”
Tallulah Falls
Since 2008, the Verdino’s have been parking their camper behind city hall and volunteering for the town. According to Donna, about that same year they received a certificate from the town naming them “Honorary Citizens of Tallulah Falls” with a stipulation, yearly attendance was required.
Donna worked in the banking industry for 30 years. Gary owned his own business installing/ repairing heating and air conditioning units. His business morphed into more of a handyman business than just repairing heating and air conditioning units. Due to the older clientele in the Orlando area, people didn’t want their elderly parents climbing on ladders or working on things around the house that may cause an injury. According to Donna, he learned how to fix things all around the house.
Donna’s office work experience and Gary’s handyman skills have worked well for them over the last 23 years.
For Tallulah Falls, Gary’s volunteer work includes being a volunteer firefighter, working with search and rescue crews in the Gorge and in Panther Creek. He has repaired potholes and water leaks, changed oil in vehicles, and helped city employees at every opportunity. The same can be said for Donna. She helps at city hall with water billing and fills in for the city clerk when she is off or takes a vacation. The couple averages about 50 hours a week combined for each week they are in town.
Tallulah Falls Mayor Mike Early said that the town of 200 citizens depends on volunteers to succeed. “The town of Tallulah Falls really only still exists because of volunteers,” Early said. He praised those who volunteer for the fire department and help out with water repairs.
Early looked at the value the Verdinos contribute each year to Tallulah Falls. “Having Gary and Donna come in every year and give us over $70,000 worth of work every summer, that’s something our budget couldn’t handle otherwise.” He added, “It’s critical that we have volunteers in our community.” As for the Verdinos, Early said, “They are like the best examples we got.”
Volunteering – a way of life
The Verdinos are wrapping up their time in the town this week and will be heading out this Friday. However, their volunteer work that started as an escape from the summer heat in Florida has become a way of life for them over the last 20 years.
They volunteer nearly nine months out of the year and some years, all year. Their summers are booked in Tallulah Falls but spring and fall take them to other areas of the country to volunteer. They travel with their home on wheels to the next project.
Several years ago they joined an organization called NOMADS, a mission outreach ministry of the Methodist Church. The organization is composed of individuals and couples who have the desire to volunteer on stateside mission projects around the country.
Those who wish to participate must have a recreational vehicle so they can stay close to project sites and avoid costly hotel stays. Those projects vary from location to location. The work provided by the NOMADS includes remodeling, property maintenance, repairs, new construction, office work, painting, and gardening. They work on the homes of needy families through hosting agencies. The organization also works in communities that have sustained damage due to natural disasters.
According to Donna, during the spring months, they may be in northern states for three months working on NOMADS mission projects. Each project with NOMADS lasts about three weeks.
They would then travel to Tallulah Falls for the summer. They may then travel to southern states for NOMADS mission projects for three months in the fall. It all depends on what NOMADS needs are at the time. But one constant remains, the Verdinos will be welcomed home to Tallulah Falls each summer by a community that has grown to treasure them.
