K NOW Y OUR N EIGHBOR Sherry Winn views church and Warsaw community as extended family

“After retiring from being pharmacists in 2016, my husband Bill and I spend a great deal of our time volunteering at the church,” stated Sherry Winn, Winona Lake.

“We’ve been going to Warsaw Presbyterian Church for nearly 50 years and have assisted in many capacities there. I love serving the Lord and His people. Through the years, the church and community have become my extended family.”

When the Winns moved into the Warsaw area right after college in 1974 they were five hours away from their nearest family members.

“Besides helping with the retail in the pharmacy, I was also involved in consulting for long-term care patients in area nursing homes. But when I needed childcare for our firstborn son, Virginia Banghart was always available. And if Bill and I needed to be away for the weekend, she’d keep our son overnight.

“In time, when we needed short-term care for the children, a single Jefferson Elementary School teacher who attended our church helped us out.”

Through the years, the Winns owned pharmacies in Mentone, Milford, North Manchester and Warsaw. “When our son purchased Warsaw Pill Box Pharmacy in 2014 we began to retire, helping out as needed. We enjoyed administering COVID-19 vaccines in 2021.”

Now that she’s fully retired, Winn enjoys ministering at the church. She was a deacon for a few years. She and Bill have led a small group at their home for some years. Through their small group, Winn got involved in women’s ministry at the church.

“One of the older ladies at the church had taught women’s Bible studies for years. She asked if the women in our small group would take on the responsibility. We women who blossomed into that role are nicknamed Bloom.”

The six women began by teaching Bible study series. However, they expanded their women’s ministry to include oneday events in the spring and the fall. “We’re all gifted in various areas. Some of us are in charge of the food. Others have administrative gifts and organizational skills. One of our ladies does dramas and skits. Some prefer music or decorations. I prefer to serve behind the scenes.

“Bill and I are involved in Stephen Ministries. We were required to take 50 hours of training, spread out over four months. These sessions taught us how to approach people who are going through tough times in an understanding and nonjudgmental way.”

In one-on-one sharing sessions, Stephen ministers try to meet regularly with the person prayerfully assigned to them. “Our Stephens motto is: ‘We are the caregivers. God is the cure giver.’ Our meetings are confidential. In time, our assigned care receiver may no longer need our help, but we remain friends indefinitely.”

Sometimes people need more help than a caring Stephen minister can provide, though. “Then we are trained to refer them to a professional.”

When asked what she believes women need most in life, Winn remarked, “We need to be listened to and understood. We need people to comprehend the struggles we go through. We also need to know we have an important place in our home.”

Sherry and Bill love to bike ride together. Sherry enjoys gar- dening and anything outdoors. “I walk two miles each day.”

Winn concluded, “Now that

I’m retired, I enjoy creating memories with my children and grandchildren.”

Read United needs local volunteers

United Way of Whitley & Kosciusko Counties is currently recruiting volunteers for Read United.

Beginning the week of April 17, volunteers will visit an elementary school classroom in person once a week for four weeks to read a book to children.

Volunteers can sign up online at uwwk.org. This is an outstanding chance to share your love of reading with children.

“Reading together is a powerful, shared experience,” said Darren Bickel, United Way president. “United Way is committed to connecting kids with as many caring adults as possible and Read Unit-

Cromwell-Kimmell Lions Club to host senior citizens party

The Cromwell-Kimmell Lions Club will be having a Senior Citizens Party from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the Noble County Library West in Cromwell.

There will be a free meal of soup, sandwiches, dessert and drinks. There will also be door prizes. ed is a great way for our community to make a connection.”

If you are a senior and would like a free meal, come and join the Lions Club. For those who have not been to the library, an elevator is available for anyone who does not want to use the stairs.

United Way supplies books and prompt cards to help volunteers get kids involved and excited about the story being read.

United Way is partnering with Warsaw Community Schools and Whitley County Consolidated Schools to focus on kindergarten, first and second grade classrooms. Read United volunteers will also have a chance to talk about how reading helps them, both at their jobs and in everyday life.

“If you have been wanting to volunteer, this is a great place to start,” said Bickel. “All it takes is somebody who wants to spend time with kids and share their love of reading.”

Since 2017, United Way has matched hundreds of volunteers with classrooms, impacting thousands of children. Read United is one of United Way’s Brain Development initiatives, designed to help kids become amazing learners as they grow.