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A Clinton woman who spent 28 years working as a nurse may be approaching 80 years old, but she has no plans to slow down in her service to the community— her current iteration is visitor, helper and listening ear for homebound clients of a Baden nonprofit organization.

Cathy Black, 77, has been volunteering for Community Support Systems, Inc., in Baden since October 2006, handing out groceries and good spirits once a week, said Claudia R. Raskin, director of Community Support Systems, which delivers food to more than 6,000 local clients each year.

"It's a dual purpose," Black said. "You're helping others, but you're also helping yourself at the same time."

Throughout her volunteer efforts, Black said she has met many interesting people, learned about local history and seen new areas of surrounding communities.

Each Friday, Black arrives at the group's food pantry in Baden to organize food and load her car, stopping to deliver food to six or seven people, helping some with chores, and enjoying a chat with others.

One woman along her route asks for help moving boxes or an extra hand in the garden, and Black said she gladly lends her time.

At one point Black was making up to nine stops each Friday afternoon, but said some of her clients have relocated.

If Black cannot deliver her groceries one day and a substitute is sent in her place, clients miss seeing her, Raskin said. "She is a good listener and people really crave that," she said. "Our office frequently receives calls from grateful recipients singing Cathy's praises."

Black has also given her time and gas to drive those in need to and from their appointments. Last year, Black picked up a woman from her job in Aquasco, nearly 20 miles away from Black's home, three or four days a week for almost six months, Raskin said, adding that she never asks for her mileage reimbursements.

However, Black is modest about her generosity.

"The woman was only working part-time," she said. "I'm really kind of spoiled-- no nitty gritty [work] for me," she said.

Throughout her volunteer efforts, Black said she has met many interesting people, learned about local history and seen new areas of surrounding communities.

She is also a member of the local chapter of the American Sewing Guild in Camp Springs and a recreational student at Prince George's Community College in Largo, taking classes about literature, income taxes and current events.

Black, who retired from her nursing career in Alexandria, Va., in 1997, also uses her time to visit with her four children, 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

"Christmas shopping isn't a one-day thing for me," Black said.

E-mail Megan McKeever at mmckeever@gazette.net.