Salvo Care Line volunteer retires after 20 years service
Daphne Hearn, a volunteer at Salvo Care Line in Sydney for the past 20 years. (Photo courtesy of Salvo Care Line)
Note: Salvo Care Line has closed since this story was published.
Daphne Hearn is a “youthful” octogenarian. Having celebrated her 80th birthday with her fellow counsellors at Salvo Care Line earlier this year, she still loves to dance, go bushwalking, and spend time with her family and church.
Daphne has been serving at Salvo Care Line for the past 20 years. She has held roles both as a staff member and volunteer.
She’s always had a knack for helping others and 20 years ago, while assisting in the welfare service of her local corps, her corps officer suggested she would benefit from doing the Salvo Care Line counselling course. Daphne remembers being “scared stiff”, but drew comfort from Proverbs 3:6: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your path.”
What followed was two decades serving at Salvo Care Line. She says, enthusiastically, that it is the love of God that has compelled her to keep going.
“This is where I serve my God,” says Daphne. “Whenever there is someone out there that needs someone to listen to them, someone who is hurting, I am there on my shift. I am not a problem solver, but if I can fill the gap of loneliness and hopelessness, I’ll do my best by using the counselling skills I’ve learned.”
Occasionally, clients request prayer. Daphne says it is a privilege to pray with these people. She cares about the whole person and works to empower people with the meeting of their immediate needs so that one day they might find hope in the love of Jesus.
This year, Daphne has faced challenges of her own and has armed herself with an inspiring positive approach during treatment for cancer. She remains positive and hopeful.
Daphne has made the tough decision to retire from her volunteering role at Salvo Care Line, with the intention of ticking off some of the things that are on her “bucket list”. She has recently bought a campervan and intends to do some travelling and enjoy “God’s marvellous creation”.
Report by Karen Lattouf
Comments
What a wonderful person our Aunty Daphne is - she has made the world a more comforting and fun place to be. Thank you Aunty Daphne xxxxx