By Norman Rolle, Guardian Staff Writer

norman@nasguard.com

She grew up in household where giving and helping the less fortunate was a way of life. Growing up as a young girl on Sutton Street off Kemp Road, Patricia Jervis then Knowles, was the little courier for her mother, Aramentha, who on a daily basis would have her deliver food to the less fortunate neighbors.

It was therefore not surprising that she continued what her mother started and has indeed added many more acts of community service to her charitable works portfolio. For her unstinting contribution of over 60 years of service, in 2003 she was bestowed the 'Golden Heart Award' by the Sir Victor Sassoon Heart Foundation.

Patricia was born to serve.

On a rather chilly Saturday morning I was escorted to her second floor Nottage Estate residence by her son, Michael, for an interview. True to her character, she was packing bags of food and clothing for a Monday morning delivery.

This remarkable matron with distinguished silver hair, declared her strong belief in God and takes her cue from the Holy Spirit. "If I can help somebody as I travel along, then my living shall not be in vain," she said in great modesty.

Mrs Jervis, who is an active member of Holy Cross Anglican Church, feels her purpose in life is to help. Her daughter, Marva, who is a community nurse, recalls that a few years ago, her mother, while driving her car saw a box of condoms on the back seat. Upon inquiring why they were there, the nurse told her that she randomly distributes them in the community to help curb the spread of AIDS. Mrs Jervis quickly saw another opportunity for service and volunteered to assist. She has since been issuing condoms in the inner city and especially around Potters Cay dock. She has earned the nickname 'condom lady.' But that's just one facet of her campaign against AIDS. She is also a member of the AIDS Secretariat and on a weekly basis delivers food and cleaning supplies to the All Saints AIDS Camp on Carmichael Road.

Theresa Glinton, a caretaker at the camp, said that Mrs Jervis does a great job. "She is dependable...at least once per week we look forward to her coming by with much-needed supplies." There are 65 residents at the camp.

Mrs Jervis is a long-standing member of the Bahamas Association for the Mentally Retarded and single-handedly raises thousands of dollars through the sale of Christmas cards. She has a special interest in the handicapped and has been working with them for over 50 years.

She has taken on the welfare of several handicapped people including a blind family. Her daughter, Lena, was inflicted with polio when she was nine months old. She was determined that Lena would lead a full life and enrolled her in special schools abroad. She was employed with the Ministry of Works & Utilities for 30 years. She retired in a few years ago. Said she, "Society has a way of looking down on people who are handicapped. This should not be. We should help them lead productive lives. They are only physically handicapped. There's nothing wrong with their brains."

Mrs Jervis is also known as the 'soup lady.' Every Thursday she cooks large pots of soup which she distributes to up to 50 people in the poor neighborhoods.

Marva, rejoining the conversation, disclosed that her mom's charity deeds extend beyond New Providence. She gave examples: "After the last two hurricanes which hit the Northern Bahamas, Mom gathered food and clothing and shipped them to my sister for distribution in Grand Bahama.

"Mummy just has to hear of a person who needs help....she goes out of her way to find them and offer assistance."

Patricia Jervis, 77, retired as a manager from Cole Thompson Pharmacies in 1995. She admits she receives help from several people and businesses, to carry on her community work but she also uses the greater part of her retirement income which she augments with bottle recycling.

Despite her age, the grandmother does not plan to retire from her community work any time soon.