To help people is the way of the world, volunteer says
Published: September 10, 2005
Fulton Alexander of Biloxi has not stopped his volunteer work at an emergency distribution center since he showed up there three days after Katrina.
A general contractor for 20 years, he donates his time, equipment and the services of a paid employee to help at an emergency distribution center set up by Escambia County (Fla.) in a shopping center at Popp’s Ferry and Cedar Lake roads in Biloxi.
Fellow workers there have told him he should take a break. He ignores them.
After Katrina, Alexander said, he had to work to keep his mind off the tragedy.
“This is my community, and this is where I live,” Alexander said. “It’s like a disease. I’m addicted. I love it. It makes me feel good to get up every morning and work.
“Everybody needs help now. I am doing the best I can. I know God takes care of me. I’ve been here as long as Escambia has been here.”
When Joe Sayers with the Florida Division of Forestry arrived on Sept. 1 to set up the center, Alexander “showed up here with the full intention of helping out, regardless of whether we wanted him or not — and we’re sure glad to have him,” Sayers said.
“He brought his own equipment and pays his employee. He seems to be a pretty popular guy. Everybody who comes through here seems to know him.”
Twenty years ago, in 1985, Alexander got started in the business by cleaning up after Hurricane Elena. He was “sort of” laid off from work at that time, he said, and knew how to do roofs. He began “doing stuff” at friends’ houses, and “it got better and better.”
“He taught me everything I know,” said Donald Hammond, 28, who has worked for Alexander since he was 17 and is on the payroll to help with unloading the supply trucks. “He works nonstop, just keeps going and going.”
The all-purpose site where he’s working provides ice, water and food shipped from all over the country, plus used clothing that is piled nearby. It is operated by the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Department with help from the Biloxi police. Pamphlets with FEMA information are passed to drivers as they leave.
“I just fell in love with the human factor,” Alexander said, “to see people smile when you give them water. . . . ” He’s noticed people’s attitudes get better every day.
“I’m just dong what I’m supposed to — to help people. That’s the way of the world, to help people.”
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