Sasee Magazine

Alex was nominated by Elizabeth Campbell, Marketing Director of the Museum of Coastal Carolina in Ocean Isle, N.C. The two women have worked together at the museum for the past seven years. A retired educator, Alex is passionate about her Brunswick County home and spends countless hours volunteering. Elizabeth wrote the following about her friend and co-worker:

Alex volunteers at the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium, directs the Museum lecture series and its related field trips, delivers Meals on Wheels, volunteers for the Turtle Patrol, sponsors a child in a third-world county, and volunteers at her church and the food pantry. She also helps others along her path that no one will ever know about.

What motivates you to give so much of your time to others?

I don’t want you to think I’m special. All of us should be doing something to make this world a better place. I’m very committed to Brunswick County, but I try to think globally. I feel very strongly about doing volunteer work, both here and in third world countries. I try to “pass it on,” and share with others. I’m retired, have good health and can share my resources, thoughts and energy. It’s so exciting to make a difference in someone’s life, and I’m a much happier person since I started all of this.

Alex, please tell us how you and your husband met – I have heard it is a wonderful story.

I taught 4th grade for many years, and when my first group reached 12th grade I chaperoned their senior trip to Russia. On the plane, one of the exchange students asked to change places with me, and I ended up next to Stan. We talked all night – he was recently widowed, and I was divorced. I knew I needed to get some sleep to be able to keep up with our students, and he let me put my pillow on his shoulder and sleep. He was not going to Russia, of course, and we parted ways when the plane landed in Europe. But, I wrote him a note and asked him to call to let me know how his trip went. He did, and now we’ve been married eighteen years. He is also committed to giving back and is always by my side helping someone in need.

I understand you’ve traveled a lot. Of all of your travels, what was your favorite trip?

Why, the next one of course! Planning the trip is half the fun. I did take a trip to India and lived with an Indian family for a week. I learned so much. I believe that education is the key to understanding other cultures. There are peaceful solutions to our problems and, I believe it starts with the children. “Adopting” a child in an impoverished area is easy to do and costs very little. Every child needs hope for a better future.