“It is better to serve than to be served, as long as you are able to serve.” A lifelong resident of Winter Haven (Florence Villa), that’s me, Doretha Mitchell Tillman. The daughter of the late, but always presence in the spirit, Johnnie & Carletha Mitchell, the spouse of Larry Tillman, and mother of Derek, Dealtra, & Larry Tillman along with 8 grandchildren and 2 great grands. I’ve worked as a Library Media Specialist in elementary, middle, and high school until l retired. Presently, I serve as a
- member of Hurst Chapel AME Church in Winter Haven and serve as Christian Education Director and Sunday school teacher;
- member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (a national service sorority), which I currently serve as chair of Advocate for Social Justice;
- team leader and board member of Polk Ecumenical Action Council for Empowerment (PEACE) which is a diverse congregation-based community organization where we work together to identify root causes of community problems which we take action to resolve with special concern for the vulnerable; and a
- board member of Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred & Discovery High Schools in Lake Alfred.
Serving the people in my community is my mission and passion. Some of my acts of service include:
- Being available to transport the elderly, the youth, or whoever may need me for whatever reason that may come about. This ranges from transporting to church & church activities, shopping for groceries, doctors’ appointments, airports, train stations, or wherever the need may be.
- Blessing the elderly and sick with “Love Baskets” to lift their spirits and let them know that they are not forgotten. Items included in the baskets are snacks, toiletries, inspirational books, and anything that will make someone feel special and loved.
- Taking elderly ladies to craft workshops where they can socialize while being created.
- Taking people who had no transportation to food pantries.
- Picking up food from food pantries and distributing the food to several places in the community.
- Getting so much food until my vehicle was too small to transport the it, with the help of my son, who has a truck and trailer, we now pick up the food three to four times a week and distribute the food to the community. The people passing by recognizes the FREE FOOD sign and are grateful to get the food.
Why do I serve? To give honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who came to give me life and life more abundantly. I don’t mind being one of his vessels to help others have a more abundant life. I will always remember; it is better to serve than to be served.