— FROSTBURG — A few years ago, Jane Stallings-Delaney had a vision on how to make the community a better place — a more caring and friendly place.

A former social worker, Stallings-Delaney envisioned a network of volunteers who would tend to the needs of some of the community’s more vulnerable members.

Neighbors doing favors for neighbors.

“Many of the people I touched had so many little tiny needs that somebody could help fix, but they would never ask anybody because they wouldn’t want to bother anybody,” said Stallings-Delaney, 63, of Frostburg.

“Everyday needs. Changing a light bulb or shoveling snow. And I felt there were people who would surely volunteer to help them if they knew who it was who had the need.”

Next month, volunteers from several Frostburg churches plan to tackle the first set of projects requested by neighbors in need, officially launching the Neighborhood Friends Care Ministry. Between now and Oct. 16, organizers are asking residents to sign up to volunteer — or to reach out and ask for help.

So far, the number of people who have volunteered has far surpassed those who have asked for help, said Karen Tamorria, pastor of Zion United Church of Christ and a member of the NFC board.

“There’s not a lack of needs,” said Stallings-Delaney, who five years ago received $2,000 from the Presbytery of Baltimore to get Neighborhood Friends Care off the ground. With the help of her sons, she is developing a website to match volunteers with needs.

“There’s a lack of communication about who can help and who has need,” she said. “It’s hard to accept help. That is the hardest thing in life to do.”

Stallings-Delaney knows all too well how difficult it can be to reach out.

As Neighborhood Friends Care Ministry finally gets off the ground, she finds herself helpless against a fatal disease.

On Aug. 3, Stallings-Delaney was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. A neurological disease, it causes muscles to weaken, making daily tasks such as speaking, eating, and walking more and more difficult.

Though the disease affects motor neurons in the brain, it does not usually affect a person’s mind or intelligence, according to the website ALSinfo.com.

As Stallings-Delaney copes with the worsening symptoms of the disease, members of the NFC board are trying to keep her vision alive. They’re looking for someone to work with Stallings-Delaney and keep the program moving forward, an assistant director who could eventually step into the lead role.

“Ever since I heard of Jane’s diagnosis I’ve been concerned about this,” Cindy Zirlott, Protestant chaplain at Frostburg State University and secretary of the NFC board, said during an NFC meeting last week.

“This was her baby.. ... It’s just critical that we find someone that has the vision and knowledge and desire to make this work.”

NFC Board President Ken Fisher said the ideal candidate for the job is “anyone that has a passion for marginalized people.”

“I think you can understand the passion and desire that Jane has, not just for this program, but to help people,” said Fisher, pastor of Frostburg Church of the Nazarene.

The NFC board, which so far includes representatives from five Frostburg churches, with three additional churches poised to join, currently has no funding to pay a director, but plans to pursue grants as the program grows.

“We’re envisioning that this could really take off, but it will take a few years,” Zirlott said. “We feel like we need to start with baby steps and let this grow in natural ways.”

A long-time member of First Presbyterian Church of Frostburg, Stallings-Delaney remains committed to the NFC’s official mission — to encourage neighbors to “take an active role in caring for each other” and “strengthen relationships between the church and community.”

Last month, Frostburg Mayor Arthur Bond recognized Stallings-Delaney and the NFC at a City Council meeting, commending her vision and passion.

“No matter how many people it takes to get it off the ground, I want to try my best to make it happen,” Stallings-Delaney said during the NFC board meeting. “Because my time is limited. I’m willing to do anything to make it happen.”

Contact Kristin Harty Barkley at kbarkley@times-news.com.