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In their combined efforts for seniors, Susan Frank and Sarah Peel provide a range of services hard to find in small cities.
By AMY WIMMER
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 5, 2001
GULFPORT -- They would rather talk about their programs than themselves. Both are embarrassed to hear praise for their work, preferring to share stories of the people they have helped.
But to many, these women are the guardian angels of Gulfport.
Susan Frank, supervisor at the Gulfport Senior Center, and Sarah Peel, the city's senior services coordinator, bring fun, comfort and purpose to the lives of the people they serve. They also bring life to the center, which provides a range of services hard to find among cities this size.
The program attracts seniors from neighboring communities such as St. Pete Beach, Tierra Verde, South Pasadena and St. Petersburg. Their oldest client is 103 years old and travels by taxi to the Gulfport Senior Center from Indian Rocks Beach.
In addition to daily lunches, exercise programs, clubs of all kinds and a special annual Christmas party, Frank and Peel simply do what it takes to help Gulfport area seniors. No day is typical.
One recent afternoon as they were preparing to close, a 64-year-old homeless man appeared at their door, and they tracked down housing for him for the night. They looked after one local woman who couldn't care for herself until her family could help find her a new place to live that offered more care.
And Peel tells the story of a woman who has had rough times lately. One day Peel simply picked up the petite woman and cradled her in her lap.
While Frank isn't quick to talk about what she brings to the Senior Center, she will talk about Peel.
"She has the right words to make them comfortable, and before you know it she's got them laughing. She's mother to many of these people."
Peel reciprocates.
"It's just a wonderful working relationship," she said, "and we share the same philosophies."