Pat Kepchar

About Pat:

Highland resident with six children and 12 grandchildren.

Bachelor's degree in sociology from Purdue University Calumet.

Social worker at The Community Hospital in Munster for 12 years; retired in 2003.

Member of St. James Church in Highland, teacher in religious education program.

Accomplishments: Pat Kepchar volunteers at Cancer Resource Centre in Munster, a support center for cancer patients and their caregivers. She joined the team in March, 2004 and devotes Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to general office work. She may answer phones, fax public service announcements, stuff envelopes or help with the library. She also lends a hand with special events, most recently a holiday open house. Kepchar helped out at Fun Run, the center's major fundraising event, in October, as did Highland Women's Club, another group Kepchar is active in. She currently serves as membership chair and has held many other offices in the service group that meets monthly and supports the community. Becoming involved at Cancer Resource Centre was a natural transition for Kepchar when she retired from social work. "I have a lot of feeling, empathy for patients with cancer because I think they need support and resources," she said. "A lot of the time we're the only people they come into

contact with other than medical (personnel). They need people encouraging them and keeping them going. I think it's a needed place and people don't realize we're here and that all services are free. Even if you don't need support, maybe you can be of support to someone," she added.

What is most rewarding about volunteering: "That good feeling you get from helping other people."

Personal heroes: "I admire all the people here at Cancer Resource Centre. They do this as a job. They could all choose to do something else, but they choose to be here."

What I read: "I read everything from autobiographies to trashy novels."

Advice: "Laugh more and cry less often."

How to get involved: For more information about Cancer Resource Centre at 926 Ridge Road in Munster, call (219) 836-3349.

- SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate someone for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com