Service Spotlight: Bob Hess
Service Spotlight is a bimonthly feature by Carole Deck highlighting LCOB members and friends who find joy in serving.
Bob Hess likes to help people. He also likes to drive.
When volunteer drivers were needed by Love INC of Lancaster County, it was a perfect way for Bob to use his love for driving to provide a service to persons who need transportation.
Our church is one of 160 country churches from different denominations who support the organization and connect church volunteers to those who need help.
“Helping people through Love INC is a natural extension of opportunities to help others over the years through encouragement from family, church, and employment,” said Bob.
He began transporting clients in March 2020. About 50 percent of the requests are for health-related appointments including medical, dental, hearing, and vision care.
Others may be for groceries, hair care, post office, financial institutions, etc. Currently, Bob drives persons three to four times a week, one person at a time, during the day, all year round. Usually, it’s the same persons. But they have changed over the years.
Since last summer he’s been a driver for Lorraine Danz (pictured) who resides in Millersville. The two have formed a meaningful relationship. Along with being grateful for him taking her to a variety of appointments, she considers him a friend.
“Bob is always prompt, arrives with a big smile, and is a good communicator,” said the personable 76-year-old Danz. She appreciates his pointing out areas of interest and sharing history about them during their rides.
Bob values Lorraine’s friendship, too, and said: “She’s sweet, smart, interesting and really good at managing her schedule.”
A member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lancaster, Lorraine has a strong faith and especially favors the prayers of Mother Teresa. She believes Bob shows his faith on every level through his “caring, kindness, and helpfulness” to her following the Love INC acronym “In the Name of Christ.”
For Bob, being a Love INC volunteer driver has made him more aware of the challenges faced by persons who live alone, have limited finances, and are dependent on others for transportation. “It has made me more sensitive to the needs of others,” he said.
A long-term member of our church for 46 years, Bob credits two familiar scriptures for inspiring him to serve: Matthew 25:35, “. . . for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me . . .; and Galatians 5:22-23: “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control . . . .”