Watch the video of Charles Rambin
Church Health Center volunteer, Charles Rambin, is truly an inspiration
Charles and his wife, Alice, moved to Memphis four years ago to live with their daughter Penelope and allow Alice to dictate her end of life story. Alice was in the final stages of cancer, and they wanted to be comfortable during their difficult time. Despite aggressive treatment, Alice passed away peacefully in the summer of 2007.
As you can imagine, it was hard enough for Charles to lose his wife of 43 years, but in addition, he lost his connection to the world. Charles has been blind for many years, and Alice was his “vision.” Like anyone who lives through the experience of losing their lifelong companion, Charles found himself lonely, isolated and depressed. But recently, he has found a new love of life and his hope has been restored. We are grateful that Charles has become a member of the Church Health Center family.
I talked with Charles the other day to ask him why he does what he does and Charles was anything but soft spoken. “ The Church Health Center is one of the greatest organizations here in Memphis or anywhere,” he said. “It just makes you feel good all over to be a part of it.”
Charles feels that what he’s doing is going to help someone less fortunate than himself somewhere down the line.
“It’s a breath of fresh air mixing it up with the other volunteers and staff,” he added.
Charles Rambin is one of our most amazing volunteers here at the Church Health Center. Don’t get me wrong, we think highly of all of our volunteers, but Charles’ ability to persevere through tough times is an inspiration that staff and volunteers alike appreciate.
Charles’ blindness is anything but a deterrent. In fact, it speeds him up more than it slows him down. He’s a selfless servant of God who believes in family, friends and the strength to persevere no matter what roadblocks get in his way.
Charles feels blessed and thanks God for not allowing him to go into a shell after his wife passed. “It might sound like a small thing, but helping out at the Church Health Center is huge for me.” “Just because I’m blind doesn’t mean I can’t help in a big way.”
And he does. Charles is responsible for helping with all of our mailings.
Charles is loved by his Church Health Center family, but he really loves talking about his children Penelope, Mary Alice, Karen and Graham. He also loves bragging about his grandchildren Baker and Graham.
Charles continues to volunteer whenever he is needed and he just can’t wait to get that next call from volunteer coordinator, Yvonne Laird saying “come on Charles.”
In the meantime, Charles is always thinking about ways in which people can help the Church Health Center financially and otherwise. “I see firsthand what the Center does for the community and those that are less fortunate.”
If you would like to become a Church Health Center volunteer, call Yvonne Laird at (901) 272-7170, Ext. 1400.