RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS; PORTS: IF SOMEONE DOES A KINDNESS TO YOU, PASS IT ON

For Barbara and Bill Port, the philosophy of kindness is simple: You can't always repay a kindness done to you. The best way to say thanks is to pass it on.

Volunteering is a way of life for this Cape Girardeau couple. Since Bill retired as administrator of Cape Physician Associates six years ago, their lives have become even busier as they fill their days with community service.

The pair can often be found tending the May Greene Garden, at the corner of Themis and Fountain. They are members of a loosely-knit group known as the May Greene Garden Association, but they are also neighbors of this spot of serenity and beauty in downtown Cape Girardeau.

The two can often be found relaxing on their shady front porch on Themis. They like to watch people stop by the garden for lunch or for a brief respite. About 40 to 50 people are dues-paying members of the association, but about 10 to 12 of the members can be found routinely pruning or weeding the park.

On Sunday nights, they are familiar faces in the Southeast Missouri Hospital emergency room.

"It's the busiest night of the week," explains Barb, who calls themselves glorified gophers. They make beds, transport people in wheelchairs, clean the rooms, take people back to rooms, run errands, empty trash or sit with families. They do what is needed and enjoy the work.

Bill explains the reality of emergency rooms is not the image depicted on "ER" or "Chicago Hope" when the ambulance comes in and they shout to the staff about the patient. "Here, the ambulance has talked with the staff on the radio. They know 10 minutes before they get here what to expect," he says.

Barbara adds, "It's more organized and calm than they show on TV."

But the pair never knows what to expect on a busy night in the emergency room, and they like that it's different every time. "You meet such nice people, and you appreciate what the staff is doing," says Barbara.

For years, they have opened their home to exchange students, both through the Rotary International club, of which Bill is a past district governor, and through Southeast Missouri State University's host family program.

They have hosted exchange students from Brazil, Denmark and Sweden through the Rotary program and university students from Hong Kong and Japan.

In fact, they developed a real kinship with one student from Hong Kong who considers the Ports his second family. Each Christmas, since he first stayed with the family 17 years ago, he spends the holidays with the Ports. When he was recently naturalized as a U.S. citizen, he asked the Ports to attend the ceremony. When he had an automobile accident five years ago in St. Louis, the Ports were notified at 2 in the morning as his next of kin.

They are proud of Ron Wong, who recently earned his pharmacy degree and lives in Poplar Bluff.

The Ports' open attitude toward exchange students has also rubbed off on their children. They have a grown son and daughter and two grandchildren, who all live in St. Louis.

Their daughter and her family recently opened their home to an exchange student and will welcome another this summer.

The Ports also volunteer with at the Glenn House as docents. The historic home is open each Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. For the past two years, they have helped decorate the Glenn House in its holiday splendor.

But not all their volunteer time is spent together.

Once each month, Barbara answers the phone at the FISH food pantry. She is also active in historic preservation. She serves on the board of the Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau and on the city's Historic Preservation Commission.

Their love of historic homes is evident in their 110-year-old dwelling, which enjoys designation as a local landmark. Barbara also represents the city commission on the Main Street Project. She's bubbling with good ideas to improve downtown without considerable cost to property owners. Just ask her.

Bill works a half day each Friday at the Good Hope Police Substation, answering the telephone and performing whatever duties necessary. Efforts of the volunteers allow the community policing officers more time on the streets.

Bill enjoys the work and recommends the jobs to others. "There's a real need for volunteers at the substation," he says. The back room of the substation is available for community meetings.

He is also quite active in their church, First Presbyterian. He serves on several committees and sings in the choir.

The Ports believe that each citizen plays a role in the success of any community.

Barbara laughs at the notion that some young people feel there's nothing to do. There are more volunteer opportunities than time, she says. "You can't do them all."

The Ports reap satisfaction from their hours spent in community service.

"You have to give back to your community," says Bill.

Adds Barbara: "We're here for a purpose. As Christians, we're here to help others."