From Love Baskets to 10,000 Meals
Thomas noticed that people in distress frequently won't ask for help. So he named his organization QUEST to reflect his vision of seeking out and reaching those in need. QUEST started small, providing holiday food packages—which he dubbed "love baskets"—to 18 families. Last year, QUEST provided baskets to 600 families.

Of course, hunger isn't an issue only during holidays; the organization also supports a soup kitchen and food pantry. The soup kitchen, which opened in 1998, served 10,000 meals last year, and Thomas says the number of visitors has increased by six percent in 2009. Need for QUEST's food pantry also has swelled.

And helping the hungry is just the tip of the iceberg. Thomas ticks off a list of other QUEST programs, including distributing clothing and toiletries, bringing holiday cheer to nursing home residents, teaching sign language, and roaming the winter streets to deliver food to the homeless.

QUEST established an Angel Tree program back in 1993. The Lansdowne, Va.–based organization provides holiday gifts for the children of parents who are in prison. It's a program that Thomas finds particularly touching, given the painful breach between incarcerated parents and children.

"We bring a connection by giving gifts in the name of the incarcerated parent," he says, recalling a time when he watched two kids receive gifts from their dad. "It did me good to see the joy it brought. They were just overjoyed—in absolute glee—that their father remembered them on Christmas."

Angel Tree coordinator Carolyn Right-Saunders says the program also touches other parents and guardians, who often struggle financially to make the holidays special. "It's a blessing for mothers, aunts, and grandparents because it can be such a painful, stressful time for them," she says.

Such is the power of QUEST, which stands as a constant in the community, delivering the small things that heal hearts, ease angst, and fill stomachs. Volunteers point to Thomas's gentle heart, strong leadership, and chronic efficiency as the fuel for QUEST's engine. Getting programs off the ground involves little hand-wringing or time-wasting, they say.

"We have a meeting, decide on the deadline, and divide up the work," observes Pearlie Purvis, a food bank volunteer. Ruthie Brito, QUEST's secretary, describes Thomas as an innovative dreamer with a fierce commitment to his mission.

Big Ideas Into Concrete Programs
Recently, that mission has extended to helping latchkey kids in his community, which has its share of urban troubles, including drugs and gangs. He's now working to launch an after-school program, where kids can find meals, tutoring, computer classes, and green-job training. Thomas expects to start with about 50 kids by spring.

Thomas views the after-school program as a way to keep kids out of trouble. And by exposing teenage boys to successful deacons, church members, and volunteers, the program also would be an opportunity to provide constructive male role models. "I'd like young men to see that they can grow up and do something positive," he says.
That streamlined approach is typical of Thomas, according to Right-Saunders. "He takes big ideas and dreams and turns them into concrete programs."

Thomas says the ministry that remains dearest to his heart is the soup kitchen. "This is not a prosperous area and there's tremendous need," he says. He's especially proud that meals QUEST provides are full, hot ones—not just sandwiches. "At the soup kitchen, we can also look at the whole person and provide physically and spiritually for people," he adds.

Richard DeFleece is a 52-year-old Burlington resident and soup kitchen client. When he goes, DeFleece also picks up lunches that he brings to his mother in a nursing home. "I love coming here," he says. "The people are good, and they treat you like gold."

Time spent at the soup kitchen gives Thomas a chance to work the room and connect with people. It's one of his strategies for uncovering what they need—whether it's socks, deodorant, or a sympathetic ear.

The longevity of Thomas's work with QUEST boils down to the feeling it gives him. "It's more than being happy," he says. "Helping others is a joy. And that really does only come from giving rather than receiving."

Of the 10 Good Neighbor finalists, five winners will receive $10,000 grants for their community projects and will be honored at the REALTORSŪ Conference & Expo in San Diego on November 14. The remaining five finalists will receive $2,500 grants for their cause. To learn about the other finalists, go to REALTOR.org/GNA.

The Good Neighbor Awards is supported by eNeighborhoods, Homes.com, Lowe’s and HouseLogic.

-- Elyse Umlauf-Garneau

For more information, contact Thomas at 609-877-9000 x140 or QUEST Community Outreach at www.tabernacle-burlington.org.