If you look close enough, there are more good people around you than there are bad. If you dig deeper, you will see all of the good in the community that was produced by the people who dedicate their service in hopes of enhancing the lives of others. One of the many people in La Porte County doing just that is Nancy Adkins.
Adkins is a retired third-grade teacher who made it her life mission to serve others. She attended Indiana Wesleyan University and earned a Master’s degree from Indiana University.
After her schooling, she moved to La Porte and taught at Door Village School for two years. She then went on to teach at Kingsbury Elementary School where she would retire from a few decades later.
Teaching third grade was something she had wanted to do since she herself was in the third grade.
“My third-grade instructor inspired me to be a teacher. I loved her, and when I was in her class, I would go home after school and talk about her nonstop during the evening meal with my family. It all goes back to her. The sad part is that I never got to tell her that she was the person that launched me into the teaching field,” Adkins said.
Adkins also credits her other inspiration, Corrie ten Boom, for making her the woman she is today.
"[She] inspires me most. She is a Christian who lived in Harlem, Holland, who helped many Jews escape the Holocaust in World War II. Her and her family were caught. Her and her sister, Betsy, were placed in concentration camps, along with her elderly father who died shortly after he was taken away,” Adkins said. “She’s always inspired me because even after all of the horrible, excruciating experiences she had in the concentration camp, she came through that and went on to do so much good in this world. She established homes for children that were left orphaned, and also organized homes for women who didn't have places to live. After being exposed to awful atrocities, she still was able to overcome her past. She has been a beacon example for me.”
Adkins is married to the love of her life, Charles. Together, they had their only child, Douglas.
“My life took a really quick, nasty turn on the day I retired. My husband passed away that same day, and we were in the process of building a new home for ourselves,” Adkins said. “I had to rebuild my life, but I had a lot of people that supported me and helped me through it.”
The outreach she experienced was overpowering and encouraged Adkins to extend her own hand to help enrich the lives of others. She went on to join several clubs and committees and used them as outlets to set an example similar to the one her mother and father had set for her as a child.
“Although my parents couldn't give me a lot of monetary items, they were able to give me so many wonderful life experiences. One of those life experiences was the gift of giving. I learned early on it was more pleasant to give than receive,” Adkins said. “All my life, I have been a recipient of wonderful people, and there came a certain time in my life where I realized that it was my time to pay it forward.”
Adkins decided the best way to do so was to commit herself to numerous groups. She joined Service League, an independent women’s organization that reaches out to those in the community through the arts, community assistance programs and several other volunteer opportunities. She is also involved with the New Day Foundation, an organization that helps cancer patients through their journey and the obstacles they may face during treatment.
Adkins is also a member of the choir at Door Village United Methodist Church. She also belongs to Questers, a nonprofit organization devoted to the study and protection of historical objects and landmarks.
And just a few years ago, Adkins became involved with Hospice Care. With each person she meets, her heart becomes fuller and more solid. Those she has helped have touched her life. She has also left a positive impact on theirs.
“At Hospice, you become very close to the people you are working with, and I am treasured with all of my experiences I have had. What I enjoy most is being able to reach out to others. When people are in need, it is our responsibility to reach out to them. The importance to give back has been the guiding light in my life,” Adkins said.
Adkins has also had the opportunity to travel to Russia, France, Holland and other places as well. She also enjoys reading and catching up with her old students.
“I've had the most wonderful life, and if I were to die today, I would have no regrets. It’s been a good run,” Adkins stated.