St. Joseph volunteer has his day

Jim Merrick had no clue he would be surprised by the people he spends most of his time with twice a week at St. Joseph Catholic School.

The students and staff at the school proclaimed Monday "Jim Merrick Day" and showered him with gifts for being a devoted volunteer for the past seven years.

"I was completely surprised but enjoyed it very much," Merrick said.

One of Merrick's four daughters, Patty Merrick Pharo, said her father is a humble man who loves to do his volunteer work.

"He would never expect anything," Pharo said by telephone from her home in Georgia.

The 83-year-old Merrick was entertained by kindergarteners and first- and second-graders with a guitar and accordion rendition of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."

Merrick volunteers wherever needed but works mostly in the lunchroom. He sets up and cleans the tables, serves the students and helps in the kitchen.

Because Merrick spends most of his time in the lunchroom, students decided to serve him with a shrimp scampi meal.

The middle school students gave him a spiritual bouquet with many traditional Catholic prayers. They said 150 "Our Father" prayers, 150 "Hail Mary" prayers and 150 "Glory Be" prayers, said Tracey Hartpence, who works in the lunchroom.

To top off the day, Merrick was given a mirror that reads: "Your Generosity is a Reflection of Your Caring. You Have Touched Our Hearts. St. Joseph Catholic School 2008."

School Principal Deborah Schwope said Merrick is well deserving of all the accolades and gifts because he remains so humble.

"He's possibly the most unassuming person you ever want to know," Schwope said.

Schwope added that Merrick has "always been there for all of us ... He's very involved."

A native of Illinois, Merrick moved to Winter Haven in the 1960s. He retired from State Farm Insurance Cos. after 52 years of service. Pharo said her father has been volunteering since she and her three sisters, Melanie, Sandra and Judy Merrick, were young.

Pharo said her father's work shows that senior citizens have a lot to contribute.

"Volunteering is easy. It's important to stay active," said Merrick, who also volunteers with Good Shepherd Hospice and Catholic Charities. He was an usher during Cleveland Indians spring baseball games and he ushers and counts money for the church.

Merrick is what everybody aspires to be after they retire, Schwope said.