LaDonna and Merv Chaffin are true partners. For more than 50 years, Merv ran a busy family medical practice. For more than half of those years, LaDonna was a helpmeet and step-mother to his children, along with organizing educational programs at a local hospital and teaching CPR. In 1987, Merv closed his office, but instead of retiring to a porch rocker alongside LaDonna, the Chaffins took up a second career as two of Central California Conference’s most prolific volunteers.
"In 1990, we were at General Conference in Indianapolis when we passed the Maranatha Volunteers International booth," says Merv, still going strong at age 80. "We viewed their film and thought it would be something we’d be interested in doing."
Their first project was at La Vida in New Mexico where LaDonna painted and Merv worked as a framer. Neither one of the Chaffins considered themselves painters or builders, but with willing spirits, and the help of other volunteers with more experience, they honed new skills.
Closer to home, one of their favorite stints was a few years ago at Modesto Adventist Academy. "I spent nine months—five-and-a-half days a week—on that job," says Merv. "We had about 100 people there, and I was the coordinator that arranged the cooks and put the lines in for electricity, water and sewer for RVs. I did whatever was needed to be done."
Doing what needs to be done is the best way to describe effective volunteers. “The Chaffins are faithful, dedicated people who put their hearts and energy into supporting the ministries of this conference,” says Caron Oswald, volunteerism coordinator. “They are such an inspiration to me!”
Merv already had many of the skills he needed to be a good volunteer, most of all, a willingness to learn and to be of service. "I helped my father build some houses in Fresno just before the war," he says. "But I just picked up other skills working with Maranatha."
But even if volunteers are not skilled, they can still be effective. "There’s always someone to show you what to do and how to do it," he says.
And LaDonna agrees. "There’s always something for everybody to do," she says. "They can help in the kitchen. Sometimes there’s yard work to do: trimming and raking. There’s usually some easy painting. The Lord just provides the right people at the right time."
Since trading in their jobs for the work of volunteers, the Chaffins have traveled to Canada and to many sites in the western United States. They also regularly volunteer close to home at Modesto Academy, Camp Wawona and the Soquel Conference Center.
And the volunteers don’t come away empty handed. "It’s like a whole new family," says LaDonna. "You become close by working together, eating together and worshipping together."
And the good doctor thinks there’s more to it than that. "It sure beats sitting around the house doing nothing. I think it keeps me healthy, keeps me in shape and keeps me busy," says Merv.
