Don Mabe passed on from this life on November 5, 2019. Helping Hands lost a great leader and friend. 

Who was this man? 

• A native of Kernersville, NC, Don graduated from North Carolina State University and served for two years in the U.S. Army Infantry, leaving as a 1st lieutenant. 
• In 1957, he and his wife Flo moved to Salisbury, MD, when he accepted a position with Perdue Farms as a broiler flock supervisor.
• Don retired in 1991 as President and CEO of Perdue Farms. In retirement, he was called to a life of service that included faithfully leading and serving Helping Hands.

Don lifted up and transformed Helping Hands through his:

Encouragement – Don’s warm smiles of support and affection lifted the lives of all those around him fostering HOPE, HELP, and CHANGE among clients, volunteers and staff alike.

Generosity – Don was incredibly generous with both his time and resources. He helped create a physical home for this ministry and never stopped giving.  Whenever he was thanked, he’d often reply with a question: Isn’t that what Jesus told us to do …. To care for the poor?

Service – Don was a servant leader. The same strength that drove him to corporate heights was translated into an amazing capacity to lead by serving. On his way into his weekly food pantry volunteer duties, Don picked up trash and made sure the bathrooms were clean! When the food pantry was running low on basics, Don would get in his truck and go shopping to be sure we had what our clients needed.

At his passing, Don’s family encouraged family and friends to make gifts to Helping Hands in lieu of flowers. Gifts large and small from near and far totaling $15,590 were received and carry on Don’s legacy of living out what Jesus told us to do. 

We thank God for Donald Wilson Mabe’s life.