We Are A Family

WE ARE A FAMILY

by Teresa M. (Terri) Cooney

Guest Contributor

This past Friday evening, November 6, 2015, at the Austin Volunteer Fire Department Hall, something extraordinary happened, but for the residents of the Austin area, it was nothing new.  One of our own needed help and, as always, we answered the call.

Tootsie Stuckey

Gloria "Tootsie" Stuckey, a lifelong resident of Austin, has, for decades been one of the ladies who phones neighbors and organizes dinners for bereaved families after funeral services.  NEIGHBORS then make the food and deliver it to the location of the dinner.  No one is reimbursed for this; it is purely a donation of love and friendship.  It's done quietly, with no fanfare, no publicity.  You see, IN Austin, that's WHO WE ARE and that's WHAT WE DO.  We take care of our own.  In truth, we are one big FAMILY.

Mrs. Stuckey recently lost the use of her home due to water damage and her insurance didn't cover as much as it should have, so we came together to help her and raised over $5,000 for her.  What's extraordinary about this is that the Austin area has fewer than 1,000 people.

Like a family, we sometimes bicker, but when disaster strikes, we pull together and we do whatever we can to help.  It simply doesn't occur to us to be any different.

I have lived in Buffalo, NY, Palmyra, NY, Port Allegany, PA., and Fairmount, IN. in the past and now I'm back in my hometown and I'm glad.  Although I have seen and been part of organizations that help those communities, I have NEVER experienced a commitment to one's neighbors as I have experienced in Austin.  For us, it is personal, handed down from generation to generation and that is what makes the Austin area unique and such a great place to live.  Regardless of religion or political affiliation or any other outside influence that would otherwise divide us, Austin is an exemplar of what all communities should strive to be.

I am grateful and proud to live here again, among my family and friends and I know our unique spirit of caring will continue far into the future.

Note: This article is also posted in the Austin Boro News Blog at www.austinboronews.blogspot.com.