Dick Nelson Retires From SHIP

After 18 years of sunrises, Dick Nelson will finally get to sleep in.

“I’m aiming (to sleep until) 5:30, although (my wife) Rose is pushing for 6:30,” he said.

Nelson is one of the founders of SHIP, Summit Helping Its People. SHIP serves a hot breakfast and a bag lunch to the more than 25 homeless in  Summit, some of whom have been with the program since its inception, every weekday morning at the Calvary Episcopal Church on Woodland Ave. They also serve dinner on Saturdays and Sundays at the Oaks Center on Morris Ave. 

Nelson has been there since the beginning, arriving before dawn to have the kitchen ready by 6 a.m. And now, less than a month shy of SHIP’s 18th birthday, he is retiring.

Friday morning volunteers and patrons took a short break from serving and eating to honor Nelson. About two dozen patrons and volunteers gathered around to present Nelson with a new tobacco pipe while co-founder and former Summit mayor Janet Whitman made a short speech.

“We’ve all learned so much from him,” said Whitman. “We admire his ability to find resources and his sense of humor, how he’s dealt with us all.”

In 1991, Nelson and Whitman, then mayor, served on a task force formed to examine and address the homeless situation. Seeing no resources in place, they founded SHIP in 1994 with the help of volunteers and the local clergy. Nelson served as the first chairman of SHIP and he’s been there every morning since.

“If Dick hadn’t been with us, SHIP wouldn’t have lasted this long,” said Lillian Cochran, who has been volunteering since 1994. “He’s so dedicated, has given so much effort and energy. But,” she adds, “we’re in good hands.”

Those hands are Terance Pillay’s, who will be taking over for Nelson as the program’s director. Pillay, the current board of trustees chairman, wishes to implement more nutritious meals, especially for SHIP’s diabetic patrons. And, of course, he will be looking for more volunteers; Pillay would like to see young people more involved.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of SHIP,” he said.

Although the volunteers and patrons will miss Nelson’s dedication, hard work and good humor, it is full steam ahead for SHIP and its new captain. Volunteers are confident that SHIP will only expand and improve under Pillay’s guidance.

“Dick’s trained us well,” said Whitman.

So what’s next for a man who has spent every day for the last 18 years serving others? How does he plan to fill the days ahead?

“I don’t know,” said Nelson. “A lot of yard work, I guess.”

For more information about SHIP, please visit their Web site.