Cathy Clark might be called weird by some people, but she doesn't mind. She's not above "dumpster diving" if it will help people in need. "I always think really carefully before I throw something away, because many times it could be used again." she says. Her creative recycling has helped people as far away as Haiti.
Cathy is one of seven children. She grew up in Wilmette, Illinois attending St. Joseph Parish. In college she earned a degree in Elementary Education. Although Cathy never taught, she worked for the Crate and Barrel Company for 19 years. Her life took a turn when she was laid off from that job.
Around the same time, Cathy's father (name?) began to decline, and his dementia was worsening. Cathy became his primary caretaker. She began attending the daily 8:30 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church with her dad. "My dad was looking for something more to do, so he and I volunteered to make bread pick-ups and deliveries for the OLPH Parish Sharing Ministry."
Cathy had a life-changing experience soon after that. "When I turned 50, I decided I needed to do something way out of my comfort zone." This was the first time she went to Haiti on a mission trip, traveling with a church group from Palatine. The group helped at an orphanage. One of the nuns there made a profound impact on Cathy when she said, "the children here are just like any child in the U.S. They simply want to be held and loved." Cathy quickly realized how little the Haitian people have, and she was determined to come back and do all she could to help them.
A short time later, she learned about the Little by Little Medical Mission, founded by OLPH parishioner Sue Walsh. She contacted Sue and found out that she could help even though she was not a medical professional.
"Basically when I am there I am a gopher for the team," says Cathy. "I help wherever I can." To date, Cathy has travelled to Haiti seven times, four of which were with Little by Little. She has helped with many tasks including applying treatments for scabies, a very common skin condition in places where clean water is hard to come by.
Her talent for repurposing discarded items has also helped. On a recent mission trip she brought along several canes she had purchased at resale shops. "It was wonderful to see one older woman light up when she received a cane that made it much easier for her to walk," says Cathy.
Cathy is a "single gal" who cherishes her role as proud aunt to 18 nieces and nephews. Currently she's working on a few business ideas including catering for special life events such as weddings and funerals.
One of Cathy's favorite quotes comes from Paul Newman who said, "there are people who talk about making a difference, and those who make a difference." Cathy just tries to make a small difference every day.
