Hattie Fullmore, third from right in back row, shows off her Ben's Bell and her family. Fullmore was nominated by a church elder for her years of dedicated work helping to clothe and care for the homeless.

Administrative & Professional
Tucson Urban League
CEO/President Construction
West-Press
Printing Administrative & Professional
Jorgensen Brooks Group
Counselor Finance and Accounting
Charles E. Gillman Company
Accounting Specialist Mechanical
Komatsu Equipment Co
Resident Field Mechanic Health Care
Dependable Health Services
Physical Therapists Health Care
CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

The recipient of this week's Ben's Bell is Hattie Fullmore, who has been taking care of just about everyone for just about her whole life.

Fullmore was nominated by another member of the Greater South Park Church of God in Christ, who described her as "a blessing," especially because of the decade-plus Fullmore has spent helping the homeless.

"She just loves helping people," Ann Steward said. "She has a love for making every situation positive."

Fullmore grew up in a one-stoplight Georgia town with her grandmother and said everyone helped everyone there. She remembers going to the store for one elderly neighbor and spending the night with another whenever it rained because that older woman was afraid of the lightning and thunder.

"I grew up that way and didn't know anything else," Fullmore said.

So it was natural that her compassionate disposition guided her to other duties as she married her sweetheart, Robert, became an Air Force wife, had children and worked with people with mental handicaps.

For years, she also worked in her church's mission department, helping spread the good word. And about 12 years ago, she and a few friends decided they could do even more. They began pooling their resources and collecting donations to help the homeless. Ever since, they've gone to a couple of spots as often as they can to hand out clothing and personal hygiene items to the less-fortunate.

Fullmore estimates they hand out up to 120 bags during each visit, packed with soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, antibiotics and more. They also hand out as many sweaters, socks and other items as they can collect or buy at discount stores. They try to go every month and never go more than three months without a visit.

She's kept up the work despite a battle with breast cancer three years ago and a couple of unexpected additions at home — she's helping raise five of her grandchildren. Her daughter still lives at home, too, so she can continue her education.

Fullmore and her friends also regularly go to nursing homes and hospitals to visit with patients, especially those with Alzheimer's.

"The Lord has blessed us," Fullmore says. "I enjoy doing this. It's not anything great. I wish I could do more. But we do what we can."

Steward has witnessed her friend's compassion for more than a decade and decided recently she wanted to help honor her by nominating the woman she calls Sister Hattie, in Pentecostal tradition, for a Ben's Bell.

"She so deserves it," Steward said. "She's a servant of the people, meeting the needs of the homeless."

The folks with the bells quickly seconded the motion and surprised Fullmore at her home this week with help from her husband and Steward. Even though the woman she calls Mother Steward had told her about the nomination, Fullmore still didn't believe she'd been chosen — even after the presentation had begun.

"What I'm doing doesn't feel like a big thing, not to me," she said. "So when Mother Steward told me what she was doing, I was speechless. But I thought it didn't matter because other people are doing such bigger things than I am so I wasn't going to win anyway.

"They came over and knocked on my door and I didn't believe it even then."

Fullmore said she was honored by the award and quickly added that she can only do as much as she does because of the support of friends and family.

Gladys Singley has helped her aid the homeless for more than a decade and Mary Williams joined the effort several years ago, Fullmore said.

She said her spouse of more than 40 years has been wonderful and even her grandkids get into the act. When the couple can give them allowances, they do, but always ask that each child take a dollar of it and use it to buy items for the homeless. Some of the children help stuff the hygiene bags and even assist her with distributions, too.

Fullmore also praised Steward, calling her a sweetheart and lauding her compassion.

Her efforts have been their own reward, Fullmore said.

"When I first went out, I felt so bad because I couldn't afford anything new. But they came up and said, 'Oh thank you so much.' And it warmed my heart and made me want to do it more.

"Last time I went out they said, 'Where have you been? We've been looking for you. We've been waiting for you. We need you out here.'

"I'm not a special person," Fullmore said. "I've been commissioned by God to do this and I love doing it. And I wish I could do more."