Pete winner known for helping others
By Susan Scholl Editor

Zinn

Mary Zinn is known in and around Flora as a "behind the scenes" lady, who helps people and quietly gets things done.

And for that reason, she is Flora Lions Club's 2007 Pete Award winner. She was honored last night at the club's annual Christmas dinner.

Mary has a passion for helping others.

"She has done more things for people than she will probably ever tell anyone about," said Norm Beck, a Zinn Kitchens employee.

She's been a mainstay here at the factory for over 50 years," he said.

As co-owner of the business, Mary keeps the books and orders supplies.

But in the early years when it was just her father-in-law and husband, Ralph, at the business, she would put her son, Greg, in his stroller and do some finishing work on the cabinets or install hardware.

"I'd just work whenever there was something that needed to be done," she said.

The business has grown since those early days, working out of an old chicken house. Mary said that Zinn Kitchens employs close to 40 now, including five full-time salesmen.

One of the projects she is know for is the Flora Christmas Dinner held every year at the Flora United Methodist Church. For over 20 years, she and Janet and Bud McIlrath have organized the dinner for people who are alone on Christmas Day.

Mary says she remembers when the idea was originally brought up at a church board meeting in early December. One of the board members spoke up, she said, and commented that it was a nice gesture, but we couldn't possibly get a dinner together for this year.

But Mary didn't see the glass have empty; she saw it half full. In her mind, there was plenty of time to organize the dinner and they did. And it's been going strong every year since, serving between 75 and 100 meals each year.

Mary's family is involved, too, son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Teresa; grandsons, Andy and Alan and their wives; and six great-grandchildren. It's how they spend their Christmas Day - making it a better day for others.

After all these years, Mary is still concerned that some people in town still think it's a dinner for poor people.

"It's for anyone who is alone on Christmas Day," she said. "We just ask that people call and let us know they are coming so that we have plenty of food."

Mary spends the better part of Christmas Eve calling people and checking to see if they are coming or need a carryout.

Her hairdresser and friend Pat Calhoun said Mary does so much for so many people. "She's one of those people who volunteers and goes that extra step."

"She's also very loyal to the Flora business community," Calhoun said. "She does most all of her shopping in Flora." Flora Town Marshal Paul Redmon appreciates all of her help with the Bicycle Helmet Program for Carroll kindergarten students that his department initiated. She has been a quiet supporter for the past six years, he said.

Mary also supports the Carroll County Family YMCA. "It's a great program," she said. "People are more active now. It's good for people. And it gets kids out playing."

Beck said that many people probably do not realize how many hours Mary has volunteered at the former Brethren's Home, and how often she visits others in area healthcare facilities.

Mary is one of the senior members of her church, the Bringhurst United Methodist. She serves as financial secretary and makes the lists for weekly worship service participants. She organizes the hanging of the greens each Christmas and orders all the poinsettias for Advent and lilies for Lent. She also picks people up and takes them to church and sends bulletins to shut-ins. When the church ladies make noodles, Mary makes them their lunch.

One of Mary's talents, according to Beck, is "she's a great cook. And if you don't believe it, ask her grandchildren."

"Mary is known for taking her extra food to people," said Calhoun. "She's just a genuinely nice, caring person."

"She may not be in the forefront of making the headlines," added Beck, "but she is a concerned citizen. You can count on her if the chips are down."