I would like to nominate Maxine Sexton as a Hometown Hero. She lives in the small northwestern Ohio village of Carey, population about 3,900. She is 83-years-old and still works at the Wyandot County Home as an activity assistant.
In her spare time, Maxine oversees the Carey Clothing Center, a thrift store for needy famiies in the area. The Center accepts used clothing, bedding, books, and household goods. Volunteers help display the merchandise on tables and racks, but most of this work is done by Maxine herself. Almost every day she can be found sorting, hanging, and displaying the donations. Once a month the Clothing Center has a Bag Sale, where needy families from the area may purchase a brown grocery bagful of items for $1.00 or a large plastic trash bag full for $2.00. The money earned is donated to the Carey Food Pantry, which assists low-income families in the county. Last Christmas the Food Pantry gave out over 100 food baskets to grateful families in Wyandot County.
Former Carey mayor, Dallas Risner, says, "Maxine has touched so many lives in her community. We're very proud of her! If she ever steps down from her duties at the Clothing Center, where will we be?"