Jane Carr has moved so many times that her eldest son attended 19 different schools.
She has found a ‘home? in Clarkston, however.
Born and raised in Cleveland, she became a ‘Navy bride? at age 18 and started a traveling life. Stops have included Monterey, Calif.; Bremerton, Wash.; San Diego, Denver, upstate New York, a return to Cleveland, then to San Diego again before coming to Clawson, Mich. with her second husband about 15 years ago.
‘I’m quite a champ at moving,? she said, offering just one of many moving hints: ‘If you’re not going to use something within a year, pitch it. I can get you out of a house in 24 hours. Organization is the key.?
After living in a small house for awhile, they were riding around the Clarkston area (where Carr’s husband’s grandparents lived) and found an old farmhouse that was available for rent.
‘I walked into the house and fell in love with it and moved in,? she said. They stayed in that house for 12 years, and the Clarkston area became more than just another stop.
‘After being here a few years, I realized that this is probably what I was craving,? she said. ‘I’ve lived in many wonderful places, but I found a home when I moved here.?
Later, the former claims examiner found a professional home as volunteer/special events coordinator for Lighthouse Emergency Services in Independence Township. She had been helping with fund-raising activities for the Clarkston Chiefs youth football program, and met Lighthouse manager Katie Stewart.
Stewart asked Carr to help them with a project, and that led to her helping launch the high school football team’s ‘Rush for Food? program to benefit Lighthouse.
‘A couple weeks later an opening came up, and Katie said, ‘You’re the person for this job.? It’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever had in my life, other than being a mom.?
At the Independence Township location, Lighthouse services are provided by about 90 percent volunteer help, Carr said, and it’s her joy to help recruit and coordinate the volunteer help. Lots of support comes from local churches, retirees and students.
Some come for ‘required? community service, but she is impressed by how many middle school and high school students come because they want to be involved.
‘People should be so proud of their children,? she said. ‘They’re respectful, they’re kind, they’re considerate, they have goals.?
Carr gives credit to many parents who are teaching kids to be giving people.
‘If you start a child in community service as a youngster, you have a volunteer for the rest of their life,? she said. ‘I really try to promote having younger people here.?
Carr also tells of a man whose criminal sentence include a stint helping at Lighthouse. When his required term was complete, he chose to continue as a volunteer.
‘He was a wonderful young man. He made a mistake ? who doesn’t? ? and he did his community service. He still comes and helps us because he knows we’re a bunch of little old ladies who need help.?
The ‘little old lady? reference is, perhaps, a bit misleading, because Carr said the retirees have lots of energy.
‘The great thing about our volunteers is they are the most active people you’ve ever met in your life,? she said. ‘We have volunteers in their 70s who you would swear are their 40s. They are the busiest people. They have such a positive outlook on life.?
Carr is overjoyed at the number of people who volunteer. The only real problem seems to be Fridays, because of people’s desire to enjoy a long weekend. People help in all aspects of Lighthouse services, from sorting and organizing donations, driving, answering telephones and covering the front counter.
The spirit of service seems to work both ways. Carr said the joy comes from working with and serving people.
‘Love of people? is her motivation. ‘It sounds simple, doesn’t it? I was raised by two wonderful parents, who taught me at an early age why we were put on this earth, and that’s to take care of each other. Every day of my life I try to live up to their memory.?
Either that attitude is contagious or, as Carr said, ‘Maybe I’ve been lucky. I have never really met a selfish person.?
That is evidenced by the continued support she sees from her fellow staff members, volunteers and those who donate to Lighthouse.
‘The people here are outstanding, compassionate, understanding and committed to their families, their churches, to their children. . .it’s heartwarming.?
She has tried to instill the same philosophy to her own family, which is another joy in her life. Eldest son Shawn is a restaurant manager in Rochester, daughter Tricia is a hotel front desk manager in Grand Rapids, and youngest son Zach (who attended Clarkston schools from K-12) is now a student at Central Michigan University.
A picture on Carr’s desk features Zach and four friends who played football as Clarkston Chiefs all the way through to the varsity Wolves. It reflects a sense of extended family with strong memories even though they graduated three years ago.
Carr and her husband, Matt, are not suffering from empty desk syndrome.
‘Everybody thought we would have the hardest time,? she said. ‘We’re loving it.?
Carr enjoys gardening (her specialty is ‘learning?), cooking (‘anything new?) and baking (‘I do great cookies, pies and cakes?).
Above all, her favorite way to unwind is to laugh.
‘To me that is the best relaxation,? she said. ‘It makes you feel good inside and outside.?
Even in the midst of smiles and laughter is a serious philosophy of life:
‘When I die, I have to face God, and he’s going to say, ‘Jane, I gave you a life. What did you do with it?? My greatest sin will be if I can’t tell him I made something out of it.?