By DAISY WASHINGTON / Community Columnist

“I shall pass through this world but once.
Any good therefore that I can do
or any kindness that I can show
to any human being, let me do it now.
Let me not defer or neglect it,
for I shall not pass this way again.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

Betty M. Nix, an RSVP member for the past 26 years, and has logged more than 13,000 hours to date.

Nix, 90, began volunteering with the Montevallo Homemakers and Community Leaders in 1963. About 15 advisors provide instruction, counsel and information to younger women in areas of homemaking and life skills (parenting, career, relationships, etc.) and assist them in making sound decisions about their lives.

Nix believes the work of the Homemakers Club provides a much-needed service to empower young women of all races, cultures and walks of life to become better citizens and human beings.

For more than five decades, Nix has served her community through Montevallo First Baptist Church’s Silver Club’s missions projects.

The seniors routinely conduct homebound visitation, provide monthly donations for Shelby Emergency Assistance and donate items to be distributed to the children of the Boys and Girls Club for Christmas.

Left legally blind due to macular degeneration, she is a member of the Low Vision Group (LVG), which donates the snack items used to create 25 holiday baskets that are distributed between the Alabaster and Montevallo Fire departments.

“I think it is the least we can do to show that we appreciate all they do to help the community,” she said.

The firefighters look forward to the treats each Christmas and are grateful for the generosity and thoughtfulness of LVG.

She is gifted at crocheting, a talent that helps her pass the time, but more importantly, brings joy to others by donating more than 100 Afghans to Sunday school members, friends and even her doctor.

“I can be a help to anybody. I believe that God expects me to help others when I can. I’ve been so blessed. I just love making my Afghan blankets and giving them away to people,” she said.

A cancer survivor, Nix has endured her circumstances with fortitude and grace. She is resolved to live out each day to its fullest by being productive and giving back to others.

Vivacious, industrious and an avid coffee drinker, she is in bed by 7 p.m. every night and awake by 4:30 a.m. every morning.