Every Friday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Bill and Martha Hegeman can be found working the cash register at the St. Joseph Flea Market at St. Joseph Church in Conway.
The couple have volunteered for four years at the flea market, similar to a thrift store, that raises money for St. Joseph School. For their service they were honored with the first Servant of the Poor Award from Catholic Financial Life, the second largest nonprofit Catholic financial services organization based in Milwaukee. The award is given to CFL members who are committed to helping the poor.
While the Hegemans said they are “honored and humbled” to receive the award, they are just as quick to point out other volunteers who deserve it more.
“We have the fun part, we get to wait on the customers and we have … made a lot of new friends,” said Martha Hegeman. “Many volunteers do the hard work.”
Bill Hegeman added, “They are the real heroes of the flea market.”
“Bill and Martha could easily retire and not do anything,” said Ron Gatto, president of the flea market board. “But they take the time out every week to volunteer … They see the value in Catholic education.”
The couple graduated from St. Joseph in 1953 and were married a year later. Their two children and one grandchild are also graduates of the school.
The Hegemans said the flea market is more than just a source of income for the schools, it is an outreach to the community.
“There’s a lot of people that come into the flea market that are so grateful to pick up clothing and other supplies at a reasonable price,” Bill Hegeman said. “We hear quite often, ’We would have a hard time dressing our children if this wasn’t available to us.’”
At the flea market, about 25 volunteers sort through the various donated items which include clothing, toys and furniture, while the Hegemans and others fill shifts at the cash registers.
The items that come through the market — officially named the Louise & Anne Thrift and Flea Market, located at 1313 College Ave. — are always surprising, Martha Hegeman said. They’ve seen it all, from bamboo cutting boards to pianos to the occasional dromedary accessory.
“We had an actual camel saddle,” Bill Hegeman said. “I am not the one who actually sold it, but it’s no longer there. (It was for a) one hump camel, not a two hump.”
The Hegemans said being servants to the poor is what Catholics are called to do.
“I think it’s just part of our faith,” Bill Hegeman said. “We’re supposed to be involved in the community and provide resources in the community and this is just another way of doing it.”
Phyllis Strack, a coordinator at the flea market, said the Hegemans are more than just faces at the cash registers — they provide a listening ear to the downtrodden.
“They have such upbeat attitudes,” Strack said. “As soon as they see the customer walk in, they greet them and always with a smile.”
While their Friday mornings are always booked, Bill Hegeman said the spiritual rewards they’ve received are worth it.
“I’ve always been a firm believer we owe a certain debt to society,” Bill Hegeman said. “You have a good time while you’re doing a good deed.”
