Go-Giver: Lanelle Phillmon
By Julie Kerns Garmendia
American Cancer Society volunteer Lanelle Phillmon credits the U.S. Navy’s volunteer service program — and her mother’s example — for setting her on a course of helping nonprofit organizations. Chief Phillmon, who just completed a 27-year naval career, retired to the San Jose area in November 2010 and jumped right on to the local volunteer scene.
“My mother, Janelle, was a single mom and registered nurse who raised six kids. She sacrificed so much for us and is still my mentor and role model. I always wanted to follow in her footsteps helping patients, but I was not strong enough to handle their pain and suffering,” Phillmon said. “I learned early that it’s not just the homeless who need help….it’s all kinds of people. I knew that my own family could have been standing in a food line when the money runs out at the end of the month. Those of us blessed to have what we need are not any different than that person across the serving line.”
Phillmon said the Navy encourages all sailors to become committed volunteers in their station communities. Each command and location has a volunteer service coordinator to match service men and women with local volunteer opportunities.
“The Navy actively nurtures sailors to volunteer, especially the youngest men and women who quickly learn that they are doing much better in life than others out there who may just need a helping hand. They also quickly learn that everyone, regardless of age, experience or skills, can help in some way. There is even an award given called the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, that recognizes outstanding community service,” Phillmon said. “I firmly believe that this sets military personnel on a course to continue to volunteer and help our communities wherever we go, during and after military service. It transforms the perception and understanding of those in need.”
After her retirement from the military, Phillmon became a volunteer at the American Cancer Society, to honor the memory of a friend who served with her in the Navy. That friend, Tracy Ford, lost her battle to metastatic breast cancer at the age of 42, a few months after completing the Susan G. Komen Three Day Walk for the Cure. Phillmon especially appreciated that the American Cancer Society not only helped Tracy, but also supported her family.
The team, which walked with Tracy, “Friends for Ford,” repeated that walk at Arlington National Cemetery in August 2010 in honor of Ford’s memory. They plan to once again come together to walk in Minnesota this August in support of cancer research and to raise funds at another Susan G. Komen event.
“I’m never going to be a physician or find the cure for cancer, but I can support those who are doing that work and will find a cure someday,” she said. “One of my favorite things to do is to help the ladies who come in after their first cancer treatments, or surgery, or who just have been diagnosed and need information and resources. They encourage and inspire me!”
One of the experiences that most affected Phillmon was her assignment to New Orleans in August 2005, just prior to Hurricane Katrina. She bought a home the week before the catastrophic storm hit.
“I believe that God puts us right where we are supposed to be and I believe it was not a coincidence that I was stationed in New Orleans, and had just bought a home, when Katrina hit,” she said. “Because my house was badly damaged and had to be partially re-built right away, I quickly learned first-hand about the crooked and illegal price gouging and unlicensed contractors who contributed to the chaos and ripped so many people off. With 88 displaced sailors with damaged homes, not only as a leader but personally, I was blessed to go through that with them and to fully understand what those most affected by the hurricane had to endure. We rallied to help the city and did so much house gutting I lost count, including cleanup of the lower quarter that seemed like it would never be finished. The army of individuals and churches who came in droves to help, and continued long afterwards, were the true heroes in the aftermath of the hurricane. Church members from youth to seniors, from all over the U.S. pulled together to help the people of New Orleans. It was extraordinary.”
Phillmon also volunteers and supports the American Legion and retired or disabled veterans, especially at the Lake City facilities. She believes that each individual who once wore a uniform must not be forgotten, left homeless or in need. She volunteers with the food pantry at Christ Church on Old St. Augustine Road, where she has seen the number of families served jump from 150 to over 200 whenever the line forms and the doors open. She also supports the 100 Black Men of Jacksonville food and clothing drives.
“When one person decides to get involved it can make a real difference in another person’s life, but things do not happen unless we get personally involved. We cannot sit around and wait for the government or someone else to do what needs to be done in our communities,” she said.
In her free time Phillmon likes to bowl, enjoys yoga and plays golf even though she described her game as short on skill and more like chasing the little ball around. She participates in local 5K charity runs to raise money for a variety of causes and to meet others who are active in the community. A current goal is to better understand her own faith by reading the Bible and fully understanding each page. With the encouragement and help of a Muslim friend, she is also reading the Koran in an effort to understand that religion.
Phillmon said it is never too late to learn and that we are only limited by our own imagination and passion to make a difference in the world as a volunteer. She urged readers to explore what they most care about in the community, find a related charity and call to ask what they might need, whether it’s a donation of time, money or materials.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading... 
