Hometown Heroes: The Figy spirit of giving

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Norman Figy was making a list and checking it twice as he sorted through the food donations at the Tampa tent for Metropolitan Ministries. He and his wife Donna have been volunteering at the charity for more than 20 years.

The couple's spirit of giving can be traced back to their friendship as children.

"We were neighbors and he was the boy across the street and we did a lot of things together in church," said Donna.

Now, they are recruiting members of their current congregation to come down and help too.

"We need all the volunteers in the big tent during this time of year," said Norman.

The Figys say their motivation to keep coming back all of these years is gratitude.

"We have such good experiences. We don't have any other choice but to get down here and help," said Norman.

They have become so valuable to the charity, they even received a lifetime achievement award. But they say the real reward is in the service to the families in need.

"We thoroughly enjoy the work we do here and we always just keep coming back," said Norman.