Names in the News: Mary H. Roberts

Name: Mary H. Roberts

Title: Executive Director, Hands of Christ  - A Duluth Cooperative Ministry

Before becoming director, I served as a volunteer sorting food and packing food orders in the pantry. Later I was promoted to be the "Wednesday Bread Lady" where I picked up bread and produce from local stores and delivered it to the co-op. I was also appointed by my pastor to serve on the Hands of Christ Board. Little did I know at that time God was up to something. 

Sphere of Influence: Non-profits and making a difference in the lives of the people we serve and work with.

Education: High school and the school of hard knocks.

Background: I grew up on a farm in Metter, GA., before moving to Atlanta. My junior year in high school I came to Atlanta on the Nancy Hank Train with eight other little country girls and a school teacher to receive our state degree in FHA. It was my first train ride, first time to a large city, first time to eat a 10-cent Krystal and my first time to stay in a hotel.

My dream from that one trip was to return one day to Atlanta. I married the summer after high school graduation and returned to live in Atlanta in 1962. Dreams do come true. In 1970 I moved to Duluth as a single parent with two small boys, and the community wrapped their arms around us many times.

• Retired from Avon Products (in Suwanee) with 31 years of service
• Served as director of Hands of Christ Ministry 12 years
• Single parent 21 years

Accomplishments/Accolades: Accepting Jesus Christ into my heart and sharing the Good News with others. Sunday School teacher 10+years. Served as president of Ladies Ministry in my local church. Served on Board of Directors of Hands of Christ and Duluth Merchants Association.

Projects/Goals: Serving God and my community.

In 2001 I wrote a vision for Hands of Christ Duluth Cooperative Ministry, which at that time was serving the community out of a two-bedroom apartment on Fox Street. Our first goal was adequate working space and increasing the services of the ministry. In 2006 we were able to move from a 1,000-square-foot office by buying a 9,000-square-foot building.

In June 2010 I am happy to say we were able to burn the $375,000 note and become debt free. People ask how we did it. By the grace of God and the good people in the community supporting the ministry.

The vision from 2001 also included the opening on a thrift store to bring in more income for helping more people in need in our community. We now have a 5,000-square-foot Hands of Christ Duluth Community Thrift Store open to the public.
 
Hobbies/Leisure Activities: Attending church, serving others, mentoring and traveling. I was able to attend my 51st class reunion on a lovely 250-acre farm outside of Metter this past weekend and was able to travel down a road I had not been on since my last bus ride to high school. Many of the old houses and barns were still there, and I think I got a glimpse of the old club house on the lake where we girls always celebrated after our last night of basketball games.

Family: Husband Larry Roberts who supports me 100% in the Hands of Christ - A Duluth Cooperative Ministry.

Two sons: Joey and Jeff Boatright. One step-daughter. Two wonderful daughters in-laws, one son in-law. Grandsons Jordan, Joe, Christian, Ethan and Atticus. One granddaughter, Mary Beth.