Merv will be the first to tell you that we are in desperate times right now.

"I’ve been going crazy with phone calls from people who are in dire straights and who really need household items," explained Merv when I spoke to him recently. "I have over 400 people on my book who are looking for help. They need clothing, furniture, pots, pans, dishes, you name it. Anything you can think of that makes a home a home. There are so many people who are desperately searching for help, and I feel so bad because I have very little to give them."

In his eight years of providing assistance to those members of our community who are down on their luck, Merv can’t ever remember it being this bad. "I don’t know if it is just that I have so many individuals who have been referred to me or if other places are finding the same level of despair, but it is real bad from where I sit."

Merv operates out of his home in Hanmer. When a resident has something to donate - and it can be just about anything - Merv takes the information, goes to his list and then matches up the donation to a person who has already made a request for just such an item. Nothing ever stays long with Merv. It is donated and then it is gone. And the people Merv helps are all ages and from all walks of life.

"I get a lot of requests for material to help men and women who have just gotten out of jail and are looking to start all over again. They have nothing and no money, so they call me for help," Merv explained.

"One poor young mother lost her husband to cancer a few years ago and is raising her four children. I found her a washer a while back, but she needs a dryer. Right now she has to hang the clothes around the apartment to dry, and with four kids she must have a lot of washing," recalled Merv sadly. "I wish I could help her, but I don’t have a dryer to give her."

Merv never charges for the items he donates to people. As long as the materials are in good condition and in working order, he simply gives to those who have made a request. If the person can’t pick it up him/herself, Merv even has a volunteer who picks up and delivers on Saturdays.

At this time, Merv is appealing to all residents of Valley East and Capreol to look around their home and see if there is anything which can be donated to help others who are less fortunate. Pick up the phone today and talk to him. Call him at 969-0802. As long as your donation is clean and in relatively good condition, he will find a home for it with a very appreciative family. You needn’t worry about Merv being overloaded with donations. He has a long list of requests, and has even been given the use of a large garage by a local home owner in case he needs to store items.