RV park greeter enjoys meeting people: Betty Tope

For four years, Betty Tope stood guard at the gates of the big RV park that she calls home.

"We're gate greeters," she said.

At Fun N Sun RV Resort, Tope dons a park badge on her uniform as she keeps watch on the traffic that flows into Texas' largest RV park.

"It's covered 24 hours, seven days a week," she said. "I really like it. I meet a lot of people coming in and out of the park."

For Tope, it's a long way from her old laundry job in Hillsboro, Ill.

About 15 years ago, she and husband Randy drove from their hometown to become Winter Texans here.

"We had friends who were coming down here who told us about what a nice park it was and how friendly the people were and all the activities here," she said.

In 1998, the couple moved into the park and bought a mobile home.

"We just liked it here," she said. "The weather, the people, the park."

At the park's main office, her husband was hired as assistant manager.

"He said he needed some help at the gate," she said.

So she became a gate greeter.

"My job's basically to check traffic coming in and out of the park," she said. "We check cars for park stickers and if they're not from the park, we get the name and license plate and where they're going and log them in."

When her neighbors need help, she leads the way.

"When the ambulance comes in, I get my golf cart ready and take them wherever they're going," she said.

"We're protecting our community here," she said. "We're at home here."
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