“Prayer! I pray my way through life. Sometimes someone’s needs will pre-empt everything else. Sometimes I just feel guided to go and do something for somebody NOW!” That is Dottie Spires’ philosophy about life.
Dottie doesn’t have a specific foundation or do any certain fundraising. If she sees a need, she fills a need! “I have served on the city council of Bremen, Ohio because I saw a need to bring changes to our community, including saving our pool. I have taken in and cared for the elderly and mentally handicapped members of my family because they could no longer care for themselves on their own. I have made so many friends over the years and helped them in many small and large ways, as the Lord led me to.”
One day Dottie was going to church and she saw an elderly lady who needed a little help so she helped her into church. From that day on, they have become great friends and Dottie helps her with all her needs. She takes her to mass, has helped her move, and takes her to medical appointments. “That’s just one person, but do you see how important it is to respond to that need for help? It can happen anytime, anywhere, you just need to recognize the need and respond to it.”
Dottie is most proud of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She has 6 children (Jeff, Beth, Linda, Neva, Scott, and Todd), 18 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren on the way! “They are my greatest accomplishments in life. You can’t compare human life to anything else. I could have built the biggest building in the world and it would not even compare.” Dottie also has gotten a lot of inspiration from her mother’s strength and independence. Her mom is the type of person who wouldn’t take anything from anybody. She once told Dottie, “You stand up for yourself, because if you don’t, nobody else will.”
Things didn’t always come easy for Dottie. As a child, she grew up with three older brothers, an alcoholic father, parental marriage difficulties, and a dysfunctional early childhood. As an adult, she had to do some financial juggling with such a large family to care for, the needs of the elderly and handicapped family members and finally her own divorce.
Faith is what got Dottie through those trying times and gave her the inspiration to serve others. So much so that once a friend of hers had been in a terrible accident and was homeless, so Dottie bought her friend a small modest home and helped her start a business of her own. “I have responded to the needs of so many, and hope to continue to do so for a long time to come. I am very blessed to have so many opportunities to help others.”