SYDNEY — Sitting at the kitchen table in his Sydney River home, Francis Sampson needs only to look as far as the nearby living room couch to see his inspiration.
His 46-year-old daughter Lynette is eating lunch while listening to her father talk about why he loves to volunteer. After all, it started with her.
“When I retired I needed to keep busy so when I stopped working I needed something to do and about that time Lynette became a Special Olympian in swimming,” explained the 76-year-old Sampson, who retired in his mid-50s after many years working at the heavy water plant and with DEVCO.
“It started with the Special Olympics and then there was the church and the Knights of Columbus, I was in a federal retirement group, I got involved in whatever I could, everything from flea markets to charitable donation pick-ups and drop-offs.”
Sampson recalls joining the Special Olympics movement at a time when the local organization could barely afford to buy T-shirts.
“I started by raising money and now, years later, we’re probably one of the Special Olympics’ best regions in Nova Scotia,” he said.
“So, I went because of her but I did it for myself after that. Volunteering keeps me going, but it’s not all just for them. It’s also for me. I take great pleasure in helping people and I love it.”
Like most volunteers, Sampson is modest.
So, to get another perspective the Cape Breton Post asked well-known community volunteer and recently-elected CBRM councillor Cyril MacDonald what Sampson means to his community.
“He does everything, he keeps saying he is slowing down but he always seems to be doing more and more and more,” said MacDonald, who has also been very involved with the local Special Olympics movement.
“Lots of people would say he is someone who is under-recognized, but of course he doesn’t do it to be recognized and for Francis it’s all about giving back to the community.
“He is somebody I consider to be a mentor and he has certainly contributed a lot to many of my successes. He has certainly given lots of advice and lent a lot of hands.”
- Age: 76
- Residence: Sydney River
- Former occupation: Engineer
- Volunteer career highlights: Special Olympics, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Parish Church, Knights of Columbus
- Volunteer awards: Nova Scotia Special Olympics 2017 Volunteer of the Year; Special Olympics' national Jim Thompson Award in recogniation of his contribution to the movement locally, provincially and/or nationally, and for exemplifing the spirit, philosophy and goals of Special Olympics Canada
Along with the time spent with the Special Olympics organization, Sampson is also very dedicated to his church, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Parish, which just happens to be located directly across Kings Road from his house.
“I volunteer over there whenever I can,” he said.
“I am in the ministries, I read, I give communion, I serve on the altar a lot, I do a lot of funerals. I help with catering.
“But this year there was lots of time when there was no church (activities) and that’s the first time any of us had gone through that. So, Lynette and I watched mass on television for 187 days in a row which we think must be a record.”
Sampson said volunteerism has been very affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We didn’t really spend any money this year, so I guess we’re all set for next year,” he said, with a plea of optimism in his voice.
“Everything stopped with COVID, so with no meetings and other things to go to I have been spending more time getting myself into shape and I’ve been reading more.”
And, like everybody else, he’s hoping 2021 will be a better year than 2020, a year in which his wife Joyce suffered a heart attack and several relatives passed away.
“But there’s never a shortage of things you can do to help other people out,” said Sampson.
