Golden Threads
People who weave a rich tapestry of life into our community
MAUREEN
FILES
RSVP Volunteer Maureen
Files gives a box of
canned food items to Patti
Ladner, a service officer
for Veterans of Foreign
Wars Post 12124. The local
RSVP chapter is collecting
canned goods for the post’s
veterans food pantry.
Photo by Paula Merritt
Meridian may be a long way from her
native England, but 76-year-old Maureen
Files considers it home after having lived
here more than 40 years. In fact, when she
left Meridian in 1997 due to a job transfer
to Atlanta, she moved back five years later
to retire.
“I love the hospitality and how friend
the people are here,” said
Files, who moved to Meridian in 1970
when her former husband worked at
theAir National Guard.
She considers becoming a U.S. citizen
in 1988 as one of her most rewarding ven-
tures.
“And then I had the privilege to vote,”
she added.
In 2003, Files became involved with the
Retired Senior Volunteer Program, which
marked the beginning of her volunteerism.
“I owe that to my dear friend Arline
Baker, who asked me if I was interested in
volunteering and I said, ‘Yes,” she said.
Files worked for General Motors 24
years, during which time she became
active with United Way. When she retired
and moved back to Meridian, she contin-
ued to serve the agency.
“Maureen is one of those rare people
who has a personality that is contagious,”
United Way of East Mississippi Executive
Director Derron Radcliff said. “She draws
www.meridianstar.com
you in with her spirt and poise and
becomes instantly likable. Her straight talk
and uncanny wit melds together in a way
that makes her like no other.”
Radcliff notes Files can be depended
on at any time, however her ties with the
agency go beyond volunteerism.
“Maureen is more than a volunteer,
she is part of the United Way of East
Mississippi’s family,” he said. “When days
go by and I have not seen her, I always
affectionately ask, “Where is my favorite
volunteer?’ She is a part of the team; I
consider her my co-worker. She is a hard
worker dedicated to causes she believes
in and is one of the most caring people I
know. I can truly say our office could not
function without the help, support and
love from Ms. Maureen Files.”
In addition to RSVP and United Way,
Files serves on the Veterans Appreciation
Committee and is a member of Lifetime
Quest.
Why is it important to volunteer?
I feel like it is very important to vol-
unteer because it gives you this special
feeling inside, that you have brightened
someone’s day and made a new friend.
Where did you develop your spirit of giv-
ing back?
I think the spirit of giving back really
came to me when I was a little girl and
I would help my nanny (grandma). Just
a small thing, like washing the dishes,
but I always felt so good inside (plus she
would occasionally bake me a pie).
Which is among your favorite volunteer
efforts?
I had to volunteer somewhere tomor-
row, it would be The Welcome Center
at Toomsuba. You meet so many people
there from so many walks of life. It’s just
one of my favorite places.
When I first started volunteering
there, some of the other volunteers
would say, “You’re not from Meridian
and you’re welcoming people here.” I
would answer, “I may not be from here,
but I say ‘Y’all!’”
What have you gained through your vol-
unteer experience?
In my experience as a volunteer, I have
realized many times just how much more
rewarding it is to give than to receive.
In one sentence, what do you want your
legacy to be?
I would like my legacy to be that a
proud American citizen really did make a
difference in someone’s life.
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