By Chelsea Vance
The Selma Times-Journal

Since retiring from teaching, 66-year-old Anthony Turner has found a sense of purpose in volunteering with the Vaughan Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and the Bosco Nutrition Center.

He moved to Selma from Shellman, Georgia more than 20 years ago to take a position as an English instructor at Wallace Community College Selma where he taught for 21 years.

Before then, Turner taught in Georgia at Mercer University, Brewton-Parker College and Vidalia High School. All in all, he spent 42 years of his life teaching.

Turner has been volunteering at Vaughan for a year and a half. He volunteers his services every Tuesday from 1-5 p.m.

“Life has been so good to me, and I’m not ready to stop living. I feel like I can benefit others by volunteering in the community. It makes me feel good to be of service,” Turner said.

A friend introduced him to the auxiliary, where he is one of only five men who volunteer.

During his shifts, Turner does many things around the hospital, fulfilling a main role of welcoming people and comforting them when they come in the hospital.

“Being affiliated with the auxiliary makes me feel as if I have a purpose. I needed something to do with my time that could benefit me,” Turner said.

“When people come to the hospital they are down most of the time, so, I try to be as cheerful as I can.”

On all other weekdays, he volunteers at the Bosco Center where he serves hundreds of hungry people.

“My time volunteering has been very pleasurable. I have met a lot of good people. My experience has been positive and one that I feel others would enjoy after retirement,” Turner said.

He said after retiring, he knew he didn’t want to sit at home and do nothing.

Auxiliary President Martha Plummer said Turner is a valuable asset to the auxiliary and dutifully works to support all of its causes.

“He is an exceptional volunteer. I can depend on him. He will be here when he says he is going to be here and if not, he lets me know,” Plummer said.

Turner has no family in Selma and is a bachelor. He has one daughter who lives in Georgia with the rest of the family.

He believes it is important for him to give back to the community and plans to continue.

“It’s something I have to do,” Turner said.