An Engaged Community

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:57:00 GMT

People do community service for different reasons. For instance, the backpack committee at work – some joined because they felt obligated, some because they felt pressured by others, some because they remembered their own childhood when they didn’t have much and could have used a little extra help, and still others because they just wanted to help someone in need. Whatever the reason, we all came together and worked toward a common goal - make the start of the school year a positive experience for as many Livingston County children as possible.

We had a lofty goal – 1,500 backpacks. Most people said with the current economy we would never make it. In spite of the slow start, some of us believed we could achieve our goal. Ten days before our distribution date, even those of us who believed we could do it were worried. We only had 600 backpacks… would we really reach our goal of 1,500? What if we didn’t have enough for the expected need? What if we had to turn families away? Our designated spokesperson contacted the local radio station and newspaper and suddenly the donations started pouring in – two or three from an individual, $200 from a small business, $1,000 from another organization, 75 filled backpacks from a church, and on and on. This was truly a community effort! On distribution day, we had 1,843 backpacks with supplies! Severe thunderstorms were predicted for the late afternoon – just in time for our 4-6 p.m. distribution time. Again, we were worried. If it stormed, we couldn’t leave people standing outside, it would be far too dangerous. Would we be able to fit them in our building? A quick shower passed over, but we were spared the thunderstorms. Once again, that unnecessary worrying.

Children and their parents moved through the line quickly. The little ones were so excited about picking out their own backpack for school. One little girl picked out a backpack, hugged it to her chest, then threw her arms around me and said, “Oh, thank you! I love my new backpack!”

The older children tried to hide their excitement, but now and then they let their guard down and revealed their enthusiasm as well. And then there were the teary eyed parents who were so very appreciative. Many times I heard parents say, “I’ve lost my job and my children wouldn’t have this if you weren’t here to help us out this year.”

Perhaps the most touching was the mother who called to ask where her boys could send a thank you note. She was so thankful to everyone who contributed so her son would no longer have to use duct tape to hold his backpack together.

People do community service for different reasons….
Signed - Happy Back Pack Stuffer

Mady's Story

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:01:00 GMT

        Mady was having a hard time at her new school. It’s always tough being the new kid in the 4^th grade in a big school, but moving in the middle of the year is the worst. Mady had one best friend who had decided that she did not want to be friends anymore. The girls began leaving her out and talking behind her back. She felt so alone and so isolated. She begged incessantly, “Mommy, please don’t make me go to school today.” She had stomach aches that lasted for days at a time.
        There were only 5 days left in the school year and many fun events that Mady didn’t want to miss, but there was concern that she wouldn’t be able to make through much more emotional and physical distress. I was doing my best to support her. I had promised rewards if she could get through the day. I took her out of school for lunch one day per week. I rubbed her back while she cried and told her what an awesome little girl she was. I prayed for her without ceasing.
        But one morning after several horrible nightmares, she woke up completely defeated and without energy to continue. I made her get dressed and ready for school, but she couldn’t eat anything. I prayed for wisdom. I decided to take Mady to her favorite place to eat breakfast, Bob Evans. On the way to the restaurant, I began what I hoped was my most inspirational and supportive speech. Tears were flowing freely down Mady’s cheeks. My speech wasn’t working, so I just said “Mady, I feel like God just wants to give you a big hug right now.”
        We went inside to eat and a kind hostess seated us. She glanced at Mady’s tear-stained face and gave me a questioning glance. I explained briefly that Mady was having some trouble with some girls at school and that we were here to ‘trouble-shoot’. Bob Evans has a little area in the front of the store where they sell a variety of collectibles and stuffed animals. A pink little stuffed pig with dreamy big eyes caught Mady’s attention as we walked toward our seats. She pointed it out to me. We ordered our food and Mady asked if she could just go see the pig, so we did. The kind hostess watched Mady hug the pig tightly to her chest and asked me how many extra chores a gift like that might cost a child. I smiled and replied by telling Mady that we already have too many stuffed animals. We do not need anymore.
        We went back to our seats and as the food arrived, Mady decided, that if she had that pig, she would call her “Izzy”, short for Isabella. We finished our breakfast and Mady asked to see the pig again, but as we walked to the store entrance, we saw that it was gone. She looked and saw it was sitting up by the cash register.
        The kind receptionist walked toward us and said that she would like to buy the pig for Mady. She explained that she talks to her granddaughter about doing kind acts for others. She wanted to show this kindness for Mady. I politely refused, but she gently insisted.  As she placed the pig in Mady’s open arms I noticed her name tag read “Paula”. Paula asked Mady what she was going to name the pig and Mady told her “Izzy, short for Isabella”. Paula placed her hand over her heart and said “That’s my granddaughter’s name”.
        All involved knew that this was no coincidence. As Mady went around the counter to hug Ms. Paula, she got that big hug from God. She knew that she was not alone. She went to school. She had a good day. We made it through the year. And now Mady looks for opportunities to “pay it forward” by doing kind acts for others.

Be the Change, Live United

An Engaged Community

Mady's Story