Hattiesburg Junior Auxiliary Names 2016 Humanitarian of the Year

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - This is a press release from Junior Auxiliary.

Mr. Richard Potin, of Hattiesburg, has been selected as Junior Auxiliary’s 2016 Humanitarian of the Year. The Humanitarian of the Year Award is given annually to a person in our area who has given his or her time, talents and efforts in order to better the community and its citizens.

“Richard’s work impacts the lives of countless women and children in the Pinebelt. While it may not seem like much, receiving couches, chairs, or a kitchen table can help families recovering from a traumatic life event feel more stable. Richard has a genuine passion to help the needy and is extremely devoted to his work,” said Steve Ramp, pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

In 2006, a group of individuals at Westminster Presbyterian Church recognized the need in the Hattiesburg community for a service that collected and distributed used furniture to families in need. A key member of this group was Richard Potin and after volunteering his time with the Westminster Furniture Ministry for two years, he assumed the role of coordinator. From contacting businesses and individuals wanting to donate to collecting, to delivering and setting up furniture for those in need, there is no aspect of the ministry that he does not have a hand in.

The furniture ministry helps more than 300 households each year as people are coming out of domestic abuse, prison, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, homelessness and instances of natural disaster. While there have been challenges in building relationships with people in the public sector who are in a position to give discarded EndFragment

EndFragment