Mama ‘Dee,’ ‘it’s a blessing to be a blessing’
Mother Teresa, a patron Saint of the Catholic Church once shared her wisdom of "service" to mankind when she said:
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
This verse was most likely on the front burner of this writer’s agenda when he went to interview one Deirdre Norris, also known as "Mama ‘Dee’’ to many "down and out" folk in the Hagerstown community.
Mama "Dee" is a most friendly, outgoing person who seems most interested in the less fortunate. I met her for first time when my daughter Amy volunteered her husband Bob and myself to help with the Thanksgiving dinner at her host St. John’s Lutheran Church on Potomac Street.
Many individuals, including the young, teenagers and some well-traveled elders, served as volunteers. Mama "Dee" seemed genuinely pleased with the outpouring of this support.
And coming through that buffet line of food were people from all walks of life, to include the working poor, the disabled, those with drug histories and perhaps some with mental health difficulties; "all" embracing that great love shared by Mama "Dee" and her team.
As a result of this dinner, over 400 people were fed and welcomed from the streets to partake of breaking bread together.
A long history of helping those in need
Mama Dee’s history of helping people goes back many years, to 2012, when she first fed a homeless person who said he was hungry. That initial outreach to the less fortunate had its beginning, and she then recognized the need for helping the disadvantaged in her community.
When the COVID-19 epidemic arrived, her group and tiny organization remained opened throughout that period in an effort to help the most unfortunate in our society. Many people suffering potential dire consequences were lifted up.
Today, her mission has greatly increased. It’s a Blessing to be a Blessing provides lunch five days a week for almost 600 individuals. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday bag lunches are distributed, and on Thursday’s hot meals are served.
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In addition to the above meals, this nonprofit 501-C3 organization provides other services, to include personal hygiene items, clothing, blankets, sheets and towels, tents, homeless resources and other accessories.
As she fondly recalls feeding that first man suffering from hunger, she thought then that ‘it was indeed a blessing to be a blessing’ and this became fodder for today’s banner of hope ~ It’s a Blessing to be a Blessing.’
'Mama Dee' says God told her to help the needy
When I asked her why feeding the less fortunate became most important to her, she told me that God had spoken to her and told her to help the needy.
I remembered an old verse that might have represented that voice of God:
‘But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you.’
It’s a Blessing to be a Blessing’s services have been expanded, and she now has a group of volunteer team members, with Ms. Alexandra Lee serving as president and 10 board members to assist her. Ricky Shedd also is a team member who volunteers daily to help with this extensive program.
Beyond the meals and material things provided for those in need, she also is a mentor in many other important areas, to include life skills, budget planning, value shopping, help with employment applications and other needs.
Mama "Dee" also "keeps hope alive" by believing that some of her assistance might actually help some of these individuals rise from their current status in life.
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A network of agencies, community members helps out
Her organization also works closely with other local programs, to include the Harm Reduction Committee, the John Hopkins Case Management Outreach Program, Potomac Community Services and the Commission on Aging.
She has a network of agencies and people in the community that helps to support their work with meeting the needs of people who are too quickly forgotten.
This nonprofit group currently receives some contributions from local businesses, churches, organizations, restaurants and common day people who receive "joy" by bringing joy to others.
More help is obviously needed.
Many community angels and donors sign up to help make or donate items for bag lunches to help feed the hungry each week. When bag lunches are in short supply, Mama "Dee" will go to a local grocery, secure supplies and provide lunches from donations.
As I left my gracious host, I remembered another quote by Mother Teresa ~ "Some people come in our life as blessings. Some come in your life as lessons."
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How you can help It's a Blessing to be a Blessing
Should you feel inspired by these blessings, you may contact the organization at:
‘It’s a Blessing to be a Blessing’
P.O. Box 2633
Hagerstown, Md. 21741
Pete Waters is a Sharpsburg resident who writes for The Herald-Mail.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Mama ‘Dee,’ ‘it’s a blessing to be a blessing’
