ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Just because Janice Moss and her husband, Stan, are “retired,” it does not mean that they have stopped doing for others. Janice, a retired fourth-grade teacher and Stan, a retired athletic coach and assistant principal, moved to the area about 15 years ago from Brent, Ala. The Orange Beach couple has two sons, two grandchildren and two more grandchildren on the way.

“I said that when I retired, I would volunteer,” said Janice. She later added that she was always doing something, “even polishing the leaves” of the plants a local florist had when she was a child.

“This is a lot more fulfilling,” she said.

That resolve has paid off for this area in a big way. Janice volunteers at the Christian Service Center, located in Gulf Shores, where she is vice president; the Orange Beach Volunteer Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary; the Gulf Shores Women’s Club; and The South Baldwin Newcomers Club.

Stan also volunteers at the Christian Service Center, “doing what’s needed.”

How can somebody who has been in the area from more than a decade be a “newcomer?”

“It’s really a state of mind,” laughed Janice, who serves on one of the organization’s committees. “‘Newcomer’ is a broad term.”

But it is the Christian Service Center that occupies most of Janice’s time. The center staffed completely by volunteers, serves Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan. The agency runs a number of programs ranging from a region-wide food bank to a medical supplies exchange where anyone in need of a piece or medical durable goods (a walker, a wheelchair, crutches, shower chairs or commode, for example) can borrow them free of charge, regardless of income. The Web address is www.cscgs.com

She recalls with a grin a program that gives children in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan a Christmas.

“This year we served around 655 children,” said Janice.

“You should have seen our car,” laughed Stan.

“We called our SUV the ‘sleigh’ at Christmas,” added Janice.

The Center also operates a food pantry that assists Pleasure Island people, as well as other communities through other agencies. It’s estimated that 57 tons of food is collected each year.

The BP oil spill had an effect. Last year, the program had about 588 youngsters in need. While the Mosses now enjoy an oil-free view of the Gulf from their condo, the economic impact is still being felt in the area.

“People used to be able to find jobs,” said Janice, adding that people who wanted to work two jobs could find one easily. “Now they can't and it’s hard to find one job.”

These people, many of whom Janice says used to donate to churches and other charities are coming to the CSC.

“Embarrassed is not the word,” Janice says, describing the people coming for help.

Fortunately, she says, “The generosity of the community has just been incredible. With the giving here, the community is blessed with generous people.”

Janice trained as an intake worker and conducts many of the interviews.

And yes, she is an Auburn fan. The bench in front of the couple’s front door is decked in orange and blue, even though her husband is a former former University of Alabama football player.

“We just agree to disagree during football season,” said Janice, adding that they each rooted for the other’s team when they went for the national championship.