Helped by vets after storm, she repays by volunteering

This is the first installment in the new Hernando Neighbors column. Jean Hayes sits down with Fran Horan Steeves.

By JEAN HAYES
Published July 9, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: MAURICE RIVENBARK] Fran Horin Steeves.

How long have you lived in Hernando County, and where do you live? Where did you live previously?

I moved to Hernando County in 1987 and live on the Hernando County side of Aripeka. I'm originally from Illinois. I moved to Florida from Ohio in 1976, settling in the North Carrollwood area in Hillsborough County.

Who are the members of your family?

I just was remarried to Doug Finley on May 12. I have a son, Tim Horan, who lives in Lutz with his family, and a daughter, Teresa Metts, who lives with her family in Taylorsville, Ky. I have four grandchildren.

Tell us about your career.

I worked in the banquet department at the Hyatt Hotel in Tampa for 20 years.

What kinds of activities are you involved in now?

Since 1990, I've been an active member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 186. In 2000, I formed the Nature Coast Volunteers for Veterans organization and have served as its president ever since. It's the only organization of its kind in the state.

Tell me more about that.

The organization serves veteran residents at the state nursing home Baldomero Lopez State Veterans' Nursing Home in Land O'Lakes. Tallahassee didn't immediately approve of the organization, but has now come to appreciate the void it fills, lifting a burden from the state. The organization has a (tax-exempt charity) status. I've always been very involved in community projects, and now I help through both organizations. In the auxiliary, I was the community service chairwoman and now serve on the committee. I also serve in the auxiliary color guard. It was while serving in the American Legion that I first visited the newly opened state nursing home in 1999.

Do you have any special hobbies?

Gardening, traveling and "junkin" (shopping estate sales). They're my therapy.

What are your favorite things to do in Hernando County?

When the auxiliary adopted the Aripeka Community Cemetery, the ladies and I started cleaning and tending to the graves of the 25 veterans buried there, even planting flowers. I enjoy helping veterans.

What do you think would make Hernando County a better place to live?

I'd like to see more folks jump on the bandwagon and help our veterans. I'm a 100 percent, 24-7 volunteer and enjoy every minute of it. If we did things for those who are less fortunate, we'd never be depressed or bored. And given the choice of golfing or volunteering, I'd rather be volunteering. I also think residents should fully support Hernando County. Hire local repairmen and contractors, patronize local restaurants, support local charitable organizations that support local residents.

Tell us something about yourself that most people don't know.

I was widowed twice and homeless all in a period of six years (1992 to 1998). I lost my home in the no-name storm of March 1993. When the clouds parted, it was the veterans, in particular members of the American Legion, who first showed up to help me. I've been trying to repay the debt ever since. In my volunteer work, I'm never depressed or bored because there is always someone who has it worse than I do. And thanks to the no-name storm, I met my husband, Doug.

Hernando Neighbors is an occasional feature of the Hernando Times. Do you know someone who would make a good profile? We'd like to hear from you. Contact Jean Hayes, community news coordinator, at jhayes@sptimes.com or 848-1438.

[Last modified July 9, 2007, 07:27:23]