On any given day, Sharon Sancken can be found filing, painting, stocking up on supplies at Sam’s Club, dealing with power outages, tending to a flood in the basement, fixing a faulty roof or boiler, manning a crosswalk, laying adobe or dispensing home-cooked meals and medical advice to ailing people in the community.

The Westchester resident does not own her own business, nor is she on anyone’s payroll.

Instead, the retiree has been spending her golden years much like she spent her more than 40 years as a nurse — helping others.

Although Sancken volunteers for a fistful of causes throughout the year, she spends most of her days tending to the interior and exterior of the Westchester Community Church, where she has been a member for 29 years.

“I get a great sense of satisfaction out of seeing things get accomplished,” Sancken said. “I like to problem solve, and I enjoy the variety in always doing something different.”

While Sancken likes to buzz around the church with her hands stirring different pots, she also enjoys putting to use her years as an emergency room and intensive care unit nurse with the VA Hospital and the State Hospital of Illinois as a means of helping other members of the congregation and in the community. Sancken regularly visits and fixes meals for ailing church members, and twice a year, Sancken lends her medical expertise back to the veterans when she volunteers for Stand Down, an event dedicated to giving veterans medical care, food and shelter.

“My background carries over into the idea of working for and helping people,” Sancken said. “This comes in handy when I do home visitation and visit people in the hospital before surgery.”

Sancken’s dedication to the church became apparent during her high school and college years, when she would spend her free time teaching Sunday school in Dwight, Ill., and met with friends to walk to church together while in college in Chicago.

“My family was always active in the church, and I guess I’ve continued to be the same way,” Sancken said. 

In February, Sancken’s longtime commitment to the church was recognized when two dozen members of the Westchester Community Church congregation surprised her during a Sunday worship service with individual public testimonials to her dedication, warmth and loyalty to the church’s activities and members. The surprise speeches culminated in her acceptance of the congregation’s Cornerstone Award, given sporadically to the most influential and giving members of the church.

“I didn't really need an award,” Sancken said. “But it’s nice to think that people wanted to give it to me. The award gave me a warm feeling of appreciation for what I’ve done.”

No one is more appreciative of Sancken’s philanthropic tendencies than the Rev.Joseph Mills, the church’s pastor for the past 14 years.

“She is our girl Friday,” Mills said. “Sharon so deeply cares about God and people, she has dedicated so much of her life to helping others because of her very honest and mature constant faith.”

Sancken has worn many hats in her years at the church. Now, as chairman of the Board of Trustees at the church, Sancken does far more than push papers for the desk job.

“Sharon is willing to volunteer to do almost anything,” said Mills by phone from the church where Sancken was raking leaves and filing papers as he spoke. “She cares deeply about the building and the people working in it. She’s not afraid to climb up a ladder.”

One of Sancken’s favorite causes at the church is the youth. Each year, she looks forward to the youth mission trips that can have her helping the kids lay brick and adobe while building homes in a small town in Colorado or tearing crack houses down in Florida.

“Working with the kids is hard work,” Sancken said. “But it’s neat to see them mature from year to year.” 

Outside of the church, Sancken relaxes by reading good books and lunching with girlfriends.

But three years ago, she found a much more exciting way to spend her free time and help the community by becoming a member of the Citizen’s Police Academy in Westchester. After 12 sessions at the police station that involved firing guns, going on ride-alongs with officers and helping the fire department put out car fires, Sancken received a paper badge, a T-shirt and a cap to wear while she directs traffic and crosswalks at busy intersections.

Asked if there is anything she won’t do for her congregation or community, Sancken takes a long pause before admitting there is one aspect of the church were she has no influence.

“I don't sing in the choir,” Sancken said. “I'm not a music person.”

Sancken said she would like to spend some of her retirement traveling to England or Scotland, but that’s only if she decides against going back to work in a part-time nursing job.

Mills isn’t surprised that Sancken would be contemplating more work during her retirement, as giving up even her free time to help others has simply become a part of her M.O.

“Sharon goes that second mile,” said Mills, referring to a quote about Jesus. “She gives both her coat and her shirt. Sharon’s the one who gives twice, lovingly.”

Online Videos by Veoh.com