Voice of Laura Nelson; "I arrive at the latest, four o'clock."

"I leave anywheres from 11:15 to 11:30. So, I put in about seven hours, three days a week; Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday."

That's the schedule Laura Nelson has kept for 14 years at the Ft. Walton Waterfront Rescue Mission Homeless Shelter. At almost 83 years young, Miss Laura does more before noon than some people do all day.

Laura Nelson, Volunteers at Homeless Shelter; "I come in, I make three pots of coffee maybe the 4th. Then I wrap my desserts for my lunches. Then I set the tables. I'll spray the two big trays and put bacon out, sausage, whatever. Just whatever they need."

Laura; "Then, I help serve breakfast, clean the tables and start my lunches."

John McDermott, Waterfront Rescue Mission; "She has the energy of a 21 year old. She's the shining star of the sandwich industry for us."

Sadly, a growing industry as the number of homeless grows. And it's more than just the numbers that keeps Miss Laura committed here.

Laura; "I'll tell you something that's more difficult for me to handle than that, is the women with children."

Brian Ekedahl, Waterfront Executive Director; "She brings a heart that is just absolutely gold. She does this and has done it just continuously purely out of a desire to help others."

She takes that desire into the community where she delivers extra food to struggling families. Of course, this is just Monday through Wednesday.

Laura; "I go to the base and do all of my running around on the base on Thursday. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, I'm here. Friday, I shovel out my house. And Saturday, I watch college football. I love the Gators."

Then there's church on Sunday and getting ready for her four a.m. duties. Miss Laura's got a busy schedule and it's one she'd like to keep for a while.

Laura; "Oh, probably til they ask me to leave. As long as I'm able to do it and I have all my facilities. And I think I do."Angels In Our Midst (Laura Nelson)