Shannon Philpott-Sanders

Celebrating Neighbors: A Country Girl with a Giving Nature

Published in the 9/30/09 issue of the Suburban Journals
Part of the “Celebrate Your Neighbor” Award Series

A Country Girl With a Giving Nature

As a wife, mother of two, and full-time caregiver for her parents, Angela Creed might seem to have barely enough time to maintain her own rigorous schedule. Yet, according to her Columbia neighbor Mary Beth Kirkpatrick, Creed makes time to give more of herself to neighbors, community organizations, local schools, and most importantly, those in need.

“Angela is known throughout the community as someone who is quick to send a care package and handwritten note of encouragement to neighbors or friends who are sick, going through some sort of difficulty or just celebrating some special event,” Kirkpatrick said in her letter nominating Creed for the Suburban Journals Celebrate Your Neighbor Award.

“It’s one thing to be helpful and thoughtful to friends and neighbors, but Angela goes out of her way to help complete strangers,” Kirkpatrick said. “Time and time again, she has generously donated money, furniture, food, toys or other essentials to individuals going through a crisis.”

Creed, a self-described country girl from rural Centralia, credits her parents with her giving nature. “Anything positive in my personality, I owe to my parents – they never told us what to do; they showed us.”

Creed is now showing her parents her appreciation for this life lesson by caring for her father who suffered a severe stroke four years ago. Creed transports him to medical appointments, provides medical care and physical therapy, and assists with chores and activities to ensure her parents enjoy daily living. “Despite her rigorous schedule, Angela always manages to go out of her way to help others,” Kirkpatrick said. “She’s an old soul and really cares about people – she does these things out of the goodness of her heart.”

Creed, humbled by the nomination, said that she was raised to treat people well. “It’s the right thing to do. I don’t feel like it’s a choice – it’s just something that I do.”

Creed, deemed as “one-of-a-kind” by her neighbors, continues to lead by example as an active member of the Columbia community. “Our family is so blessed to have Angela as a friend and neighbor,” Kirkpatrick said. “She is an incredible individual who has touched so many lives.”

– Shannon Philpott

October 6, 2009 - Posted by sphilpott | Feature Stories, Newspaper Writing, Sample Work | Angela Creed, caregiving, Celebrate Your Neighbors, community service, sample feature stories