A life full of volunteer work breeds social life
Many changes have taken place in the 30 or so years Kay Skibbe has lived in Miramar Beach.
Taking a different route to a business meeting with her husband, Arthur, in 1960 turned into a pleasant surprise while traveling through South Walton County.
"Driving along the beach we knew we had discovered the place we wanted to come back to when my husband retired," she said. "We didn't know how we would be able to afford property, but we were determined to own a little piece of the area."
What the Skibbe's found was a lot in Gulf Pines, one of the first paved subdivisions in Miramar Beach. They took a loan against their life insurance, made the down payment and paid $30 a month until the lot was paid off. Several years later in 1970, they purchased two additional lots and in 1978 the Skibbe's built their home at Gulf Pines.
In the years since, Arthur passed away and Kay decided to become an active participant with several projects. She had an active role in seeing Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast become a reality.
The biggest undertaking, she said, was the construction of the Coastal Branch Library at Santa Rosa Beach. After three years working to see the library open, Skibbe looked for way to stay busy in the community.
"I wanted something to do," she said. "My first volunteer work was with Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. I spent four hours each Friday as a volunteer in the records department. It was so new there were no real records so I decided to find somewhere that would allow me to actually work."
A friend mentioned Caring and Sharing was looking for volunteers. Skibbe took it to heart and "I've been here for six years," she said.
Each week seven or eight women work together sorting through donated items at Caring and Sharing.
"Every Friday we work, we catch up on news and spend the day together," Skibbe said.
Skibbe spends a few more hours each week at her home repairing and cleaning jewelry that is donated to Caring and Sharing.
Volunteering fills her days with friends while she contributes to helping others, she said.
"We celebrated my 90th birthday together, here in the sorting room," Skibbe said.
"When we are ready for lunch, we all go to lunch together. It is my social club."
With nearly 85 volunteers, mostly part time, at Caring and Sharing (including those that come during the winter months) there is still a need.
"The ladies (sorting room) and all the other volunteers are hard workers," said Pennie Lucas, Caring and Sharing manager. "With the food bank and store there is so much to do. We can always take on more volunteers. There is definitely a need in the community for what we (Caring and Sharing) provide."
Although Skibbe contributes her time each Friday to Caring and Sharing, on Tuesdays you will find Skibbe volunteering at the Coastal Branch Library.
"I worked hard to see the library open and I stay involved as much as I can," she said.
The volunteer work keeps her busy during the week with her friends. However, during the summer months her attention is given to family.
"My children and grandchildren are here often in the summer and I spend as much time with them as possible," she said. "But I love what I do and the time spent at Caring and Sharing and the library. I do my best to give my time to everything in my life."
