POINT PLEASANT — Helping others is a way to share God’s gift.

And that is why Point Pleasant resident Donna Lambert has dedicated her life to serving the Lord by helping the community.

Lambert currently volunteers as the co-chairman of the service outreach committee for Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church. She worked as a nurse for more than 30 years at Pleasant Valley Hospital, but following her retirement in 1993, she started volunteering with the church.

As a volunteer with the service outreach committee, Lambert helps organize the Community Easter Egg Hunt, a summer carnival for children, a Thanksgiving dinner for the community and Christmas baskets for families in need. In addition, she works at the weekly clothes closet and food pantry.

Lambert described her life as being busy but said she would not have it any other way, as she believes everyone should help those in need.

“Jesus said there will always be poor among us and we should help them. We help people to glorify God,” Lambert said.

In fact, she described serving God and His people as the most interesting part of working with the service outreach committee.

“Receiving the blessing that you receive when you serve others (is interesting),” Lambert said. “You really receive the blessing rather than them. But I couldn’t do any of (the volunteer work) without the help of my church family, other churches and the community.”

The help Lambert gets from other volunteers has helped her, as she described the physical work as the most difficult aspect of volunteering.

“As I get older, the physical part and not being able to do as much has become hard. I have to depend on others, and this is hard because I am an independent person,” she said. “I am thankful God has given me the help He has and that I can (volunteer).”

Lambert added that she continues to volunteer because she loves seeing others happy.

“The joy of seeing the children’s faces when we do things for the community (is my favorite part of volunteering),” Lambert said. “I (volunteer) for the children. I want them to be fed, happy and to know that God loves them.”

In fact, the joy Lambert has received from volunteering has left her with several fond memories. However, she described the first Community Thanksgiving Dinner as being particularly memorable. It was on that day that she really saw the need in the community.

“(The dinner) is a blessing (people) receive when they come in,” she added.

According to Lambert, her schedule is very busy due to the number of outreach programs she assists.

“Our community events (are put forth) with the cooperation of our congregation. We solicit food from the congregation, like (treats) for the eggs. We handle publicity with (local media) and others and physically prepare for (the event),” she said.

For example, Lambert said she, along with other volunteers, already has filled 2,400 eggs for the Community Easter Egg Hunt, which will be at Harmon Park in Point Pleasant. In addition, Lambert works day to day on the clothes closet and food pantry.

“I arrive two hours early before we open. We sort and size clothes, stock the food pantry and prepare food boxes ahead so (people) don’t have to wait,” she said, adding that she purchases food for the pantry.

Despite her packed schedule, Lambert said she loves to help the community and encouraged others to do the same.

“If you get involved with helping other people, you are never lonesome,” she said. “You don’t have to be lonesome, because there is a lot out there.”

This is certainly one piece of advice Lambert has applied to her own life as she continues to lend a helping hand to those in need.

(If you know someone who could be a potential candidate for an upcoming “Day in the Life” feature, e-mail his or her name and contact information to mdrnews@mydailyregister.com or call 304-675-1333.)