Mary Lou Kerr began volunteering at North Coast Health Ministry almost two years ago.  She came to the ministry at the recommendation of her daughter, a physician's assistant who had heard about the vital services NCHM provides to the medically underserved from the surgeons she works with.

As a volunteer, Mary Lou has performed many roles, including assisting with patient mailings, assembling new patient packets, sorting prescription medication, and making patient screening and follow-up telephone calls.  She was also a member of the 2008 Celebration of Caring volunteer committee, soliciting donations from area businesses and assisting with invitation assembly.

"It's rewarding to be able to help," says Mary Lou.  "Anyone could be without insurance, and it could happen to any one of us, given the right circumstances."

Married to her husband Jim for 52 years, Mary Lou is a mother of four, grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of one.  She is retired from a full-time career that included working for Key Bank, Baldwin-Wallace College, and the Cleveland Public Schools.  She says North Coast Health Ministry is one of the most enjoyable places she's ever worked.

"I look forward to coming here," she says.  "It's so wonderful the way the staff and volunteers treat patients with such respect and kindness."