Our people: Reliable volunteering

May 27—Rey Ortiz is so reliable as a volunteer at the Matt 25 Hope Center, that he is included on the employee in-and-out board at the center's entrance. The center is an umbrella organization food and clothing distribution, and receiving charity donations, but at its headquarters building, the former Memorial Hospital, it hosts the United Way of Eastern New Mexico, the Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails, and La Casa food service and family health care operations. Ortiz assists them all.

"He's amazing," Renee Ortiz Rucker, Matt 25's service director, said. "He's been very valuable here through rain, snow and Covid. It doesn't matter. He's always here."

In a conversation with Ortiz, here is what The News asked and how Ortiz responded.

Q. What kinds of things do you do for the Matt 25 Hope Center?

A. I do anything that needs to be done here. I sweep. I mop. I help out with the clothing and food distribution. I run errands. I take out the trash from all the rooms on all three floors. I change toilet-paper rolls. I vacuum. I polish wood. I wash the windows — anything that needs to be done.

Q. And you keep regular hours?

A. I'm here from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. Sometimes I stay later than that if I'm needed. I don't have a problem staying here.

Q. How long have you been doing this?

A. I've been here for over five years.

Q. Do you have a regular, paid job?

A. Five years ago, I had a stroke. I'm disabled. I don't work anymore, so I come here to help out.

Q. What did you do before you started coming here?

A. I did landscaping and stuff like that for 10 years before I had the stroke.

Q. What keeps you coming back here?

A.I enjoy helping people, and I enjoy the fact that these people help out a lot of people. They have these programs for people who need them. The Lord's been good to me, so I try to help out where I can.

Q. What do you like about the Matt 25 Center?

A. They have all kinds of programs to assist people. They're amazing. They've got Meals on Wheels, the Girl Scout cookie program going on, and a lot of other programs. There was a clothing distribution a few days ago, and over 100 people showed up to receive clothes. They also help out with glasses and eye exams. And they have a God-fearing attitude.

I like to help them help other people in need, regardless of the situation.

Q. How long have you lived in Clovis?

A. I was born in Lubbock Texas, and I was raised in Clovis. I went to elementary, junior high, and high school in Clovs. I quit in the 11th grade but then I went back and got my GED.

Q. Did you continue your education after high school?

A. I went to barber college for a while, and I got one year of college toward my associates degree. I wanted to go into business, but it didn't work out. I went to school for myself and my parents. School was very important to them. They made it a point for all of us to get an edcuation. They made sure we all went to school and went to work.

Q. And what can you tell me about your family?

A. I had two brothers and a sister. My older brother Gilbert is an assistant manager for a telemarketing company in El Paso. My sister Ophelia is an assistant manager for a Wells Fargo Bank in Fort Worth. The younger brother passed away some years ago.

Q. You went to barber college. Did you ever work as a barber?

A. I didn't work for a company or anything like that. I took on clients on an individual basis, then I went into landscaping, working for a contractor. It kept me going until I had my stroke. That was my main job.

Q. Do you live in Clovis?

A. Yes, my aunt owns this house, and I live in this house in the back. I've got a simple life. I don't drink or do drugs. Other than that I stay out of trouble and stay sober. I've been sober since 2001.

Q. How did you get started here?

A. My aunt, Marilyn Rincon, recommended that I come here. She used to do volunteer work here. So I did. I always heard they help out needy people, and I just felt that I needed to do something to help other people since I've been blessed by the Lord. It's a great organization and I wish more people would come to help out.

Q. What happened so that you didn't get your associate's degree?

A. I got distracted by the party life. I was young.