Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Neighbors Don Reed and Elaine Benjamin

Don Reed and Elaine Benjamin live just across the gravel road from one another outside Parker. They have been neighbors and friends for 25 years.

Both came to SECOR Cares about two years ago – Elaine to volunteer, and Don to fill a cart with groceries in the free food market.

Don and Elaine show what “neighbors helping neighbors” can really mean … and that sometimes, the people who live right across the street need our help, even if we can’t see it.

A Decades-Long Friendship

From the outside, their lives look almost the same. 

“Don comes to our house, we go to Don’s house,” Elaine says. 

Their neighborhood gathers each year for a cookout and an HOA meeting. 

As Don and Elaine sat at her dining room table on a recent afternoon, Don remembered when Elaine invited him to a party at her house in which he was the only man – he’s certain that was intentional.

“That over there,” he said, pointing to her living room, “was full of women.”

Elaine burst out laughing.

“You’re so ornery,” she told him.

Different Paths to SECOR’s Doors

As we see in Douglas and its surrounding counties, poverty often is hidden from neighbors.

After a lifetime of work and raising three children, Don found himself struggling to buy food.

That’s why he came to SECOR, where he ran into Elaine. She had started volunteering in the market after needing “a diversion and a new direction” following the death of her son.

‘I Lost it All’

Don, 82, has lived in his Parker home since 1984.  A mechanical engineer by profession, Don spent his life working with his hands, from restoring antique cars and building hot rods to completing high-end custom paint jobs. 

“Anything with four wheels is what I’m interested in,” he says.

Like many people his age, he doesn’t want to move. 

“I don’t want anything fancy or new,” he says. “I just want to stay here.”

His retirement plan was to rely on income from rental homes he owned. That fell apart when poor health hindered his ability to maintain the properties, forcing him to sell and take financial losses.

“I paid a big price to learn. I lost it all,” he says. 

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Today, Don is focused on helping his grandchildren learn from his mistakes, and building a future that allows him to remain independent in the home he loves.

“I sold everything I could sell, and everything that’s left, I’d have to pay somebody to take away,” he says. 

He calls SECOR “a real lifesaver” and appreciates the fresh and prepared foods available through the free food market. 

He says that every once in a while, something special (like a cherry pie) makes its way home with him.

Elaine, 72, understands what it means to experience uncertainty. Earlier in her life, while she and her husband raised three children and founded a ministry program, her family received food assistance. 

“I don’t judge anyone for that,” she says. 

Don volunteers at SECOR, serving on the guest advisory board. Last year, he helped plan a craft fair and bingo night. 

He also puts his creative skills to work with small metal, wood and stained-glass projects, dreaming up larger pieces that could eventually provide him with income and even allow him to hire an apprentice.

One such piece was a wooden cane he made that he leaned on during his recent visit to Elaine’s house. 

She complimented the craftsmanship. 

“You need a cane?” he asked Elaine.

“I need a walking stick,” she replied.

Don didn’t hesitate.

“Then I’ll make you a walking stick.”

 The story of Don and Elaine is one way SECOR helps neighbors help neighbors. You’ve always been someone who cares about your community. Would you consider a gift today to support more people around us who might be struggling behind closed doors? https://bit.ly/4ds0daW