VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Florence Brown, a grandmother who knows what it's like to face challenging times as a child, uses that knowledge to fuel her desire to help others in need.
We surprised Brown with a News 3 Everyday Hero award, and she fought back tears as we brought it to her.
We walked into the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center in Virginia Beach, looking for special volunteer Florence Brown, better known as "Flo". As soon as she spotted us, Flo knew something was up, "Oh my God! I always see you on TV, but I never see you in person!"
We've heard about the passion she has to help others from Krishna Loya, the JCOC's Community Engagement Manager, who told us Flo, "means everything to me."
"She's been so loyal for the last 12 years. She comes in whenever we need her; she's been faithful. She's been loyal, she's a rock here," explained Loya.
The food that Flo and the other volunteers are putting together are going to families across Virginia Beach who are in need and struggling to put food on the table.
Why is it important for Flo to volunteer? She says it's "because when I was young, I was there. You know, we didn't have it all. You know, in my life, I always had people that gave to us. And I like to give back. So, I just like to say to anyone out there, that's you know, having hard times— we're here at JCOC—we're here to represent, any way we can help you. We are here, we will get you back on your feet."
Flo is also a blessing to the staff. Just ask Todd Walker, the Executive Director of JCOC, who says she "Has not only helped me here, but on a personal level. Just being a spiritual person and praying for me and giving me words of encouragement during tough times. So, she's very deserving of this."
Walker got a little choked up speaking about Flo, "I think because anytime you have somebody in your life that truly loves and cares about you, that just touches you."
For all those reasons, we presented Flo with a News 3 Everyday Hero award, which had her fighting back tears, "I wasn't expecting it. I'm always the one that's giving, but this, it just opened up another door and makes me run even further."
We also gave her a $300 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank, which Flo says she wants to donate to the JCOC.
If you'd like to volunteer at the JCOC or donate, click here for more information.
