GEF FRICK

Gef Frick is not new at volunteering as he has devoted literally half of his life to helping others. He volunteers because he cares deeply about the needs of those who are less fortunate. He even forgets about himself and his health concerns to provide services to those in need. He serves as a way of life; volunteering is not a duty to him but a part of his everyday life.

Frick is a charter member of Family Renew Community (FRC) since 1988. This organization is the only transitional housing program for families in Volusia and Flagler Counties. He has been a part of FRC even before it was actually born. Fr. Larry Redmond, who was a priest at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, conceived the idea of a shelter for homeless families and children in 1988. Frick was there when Fr. Larry was able to get a Holly Hill motel and began the project. Frick was employed full-time as the manager of Examination division of the IRS in Daytona Beach. He became a charter member, pledged financial support and vowed that upon retirement he was going to knock on their door and offer his services as needed.

Frick retired in September of 1995 and knocked on Family Renews’ door in October of 1995. He became actively involved with the clients as a mentor and advocate. In 1995, he developed and initiated a comprehensive follow-up program, himself personally visiting successful graduate clients in their new homes, and staying in touch up to a year and longer. Frick helped open two thrift stores for Family Renew Community and currently helps at the Secret Attic Thrift Sores where he works one day as a cashier and the other day he picks up donated goods. He generously provides his pickup truck whenever it is needed, and he is lovingly referred to as “Sanford and Son.” Frick established a liaison agreement with Halifax Habitat for Humanity and Family Renew Community to help qualifying families, graduating from Family Renew Community, receive a home from Habitat.

Gef Frick has been a leader with FRC. He organized volunteer crews to help with the renovation process, and he also challenged others to solicit donated materials and additional volunteers. He helped with the conception of the idea for the new home of FRC and continued expanding the follow up program, which impacted the well being of FRC graduate families. The opening of FRC in 1989 provided a desperately needed service in the community; a safe, secure, clean environment for homeless children and parents. The follow up program continued the relationship successful families have with FRC caseworkers and gave them an opportunity to access additional resources. It also provided statistical information for grant writing.

In addition to his work with FRC, Frick has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, led a mayor’s team that was charged with raising the dollars and building one house per year for five years. He is the Lay Pastor for the Habitat Ministry Team at the First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach. They now build one house a year in their community. He has traveled to Americas, Georgia to help President Jimmy Carter with a Habitat building blitz. He also volunteers for AARP during tax season to help senior citizens get through the complicated process of filing income tax returns as well as continuing to provide budget counseling in the Good Sense Ministries at First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach. He has worked on mission teams in Belize to build a school lunch room; and in Honduras to lay a foundation for a church.