Think good thoughts and give generously
In Booker T. Washington’s book, “Up From Slavery,” he says, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”
As we interviewed so many people this year involved in faith-based ministries that truth was evident. Despite disappointments and problems there was a joy and purpose in what they were doing. I believe the same is true when we give dollars and time to those organizations we believe in.
This is the time of year when we are inundated with requests for money from so many organizations it is hard to decide where to help. I wouldn’t presume to make a list of all of the great nonprofits and faith-based ministries in our area and give recommendations. All I can say is that we didn’t find any that we wouldn’t support.
Alexis de Tocqueville is quoted often from his book of travels through 18th century America when he said that “America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” What we’ve found is that Kootenai County is good.
Hopefully the end of the election season has helped wipe away some of the cynicism and division in our community and country. Yes, we have a lot of problems — hundreds incarcerated, addicted, broken families and children in need. Bad news is big screen right in front of us. Good news is personal, small scale and easy to overlook. As Neal McClellan of Lazarus Homes here said, “There are a lot of lost people, but no one is irredeemable.” That is the spirit we saw in so many ministries. Mindy Belz of World Magazine said it well: “That is the good news. Our Christian faith doesn’t deny bad news — it’s built on bad news. But from the wreckage of the world rises the cross, with a shout of triumph: Take Heart! For I have overcome the world.”
It is true on the national scene as well. When Hurricane Florence hit, for example, the Salvation Army was operating out of more than 50 mobile and stationary service locations between South Carolina and North Carolina and within a few weeks had provided 240,000 meals, 188,000 drinks, 128,000 snacks and 290 clean-up kits. But it didn’t stop there. Volunteers provided emotional and spiritual care to more than 15,000 victims.
Convoy of Hope positioned truckloads of supplies on the North Carolina border days before Florence made landfall and even when roads were cut off they had positioned supplies for National Guard and emergency officials. Southern Baptist Relief served thousands of meals and the United Methodist Committee on Relief had more than 770 people trained and sent health kits to local shelters and cleaning kits for homes. Samaritan’s Purse had 1,500 volunteers through three hurricane relief bases.
This was just one event and a small part of all the organizations there to help others. In fact, the Salvation Army is still assisting victims in Puerto Rico who lost their livelihoods to Hurricane Maria and plans to remain for a decade. Convoy of Hope also plans to remain in Puerto Rico through 2019.
Religion contributes an estimated $44 billion in charity to our country. America is great because America is good!
In spite of partisan noise these past months, most Americans are going about their business with typical friendly nods and waves. The “tribes” are on the edges. Yeats was wrong in his poem; the center is holding! Let’s find a way to unite old virtues with the opportunities around us. Be wise in giving your time and money but be generous during this season. Put Booker T. Washington to the test!
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Bob Shillingstad is a regular contributor to The Press. Email: bjshill@mac.com