Volunteers are the backbone of our community, country
Most days before crawling out of bed I look at the ceiling fan and utter six words in my head: Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Why the ceiling fan (it has three lights)? The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It’s a daily reminder.
Deb and I have been truly blessed in our time on this earth. We were taught well by our parents, and have great family support. We truly understand how fortunate we’ve been.
What has transpired in parts of Texas and Louisiana since last Friday evening has magnified those thoughts. What thousands are enduring following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey is unimaginable.
No home. No clothes. No mode of transportation. Life will never be the same. But they will press on. And they will do so with the help of volunteers in the Lone Star and Bayou states, along with thousands from around the country and world.
Some will jump in their cars, trucks, SUVs, and semis and head southwest to physically help. Others will click a button on a website to offer monetary help, and others will purchase clothes, water, food, shoes, and other supplies being donated by local churches and civic organizations.
No matter what you do, it all adds up to Americans helping Americans. Why? Because that’s what we do in the time of need. When others are suffering, we figure out a way to help.
Volunteers made this country what it is today. Those who volunteered to fight for freedom during the Revolutionary War to those who are helping today make our country strong.
It’s fair to say volunteerism — put another way, those who take action when action is needed — may very well be the backbone of our nation.
As I’ve shared recently, the Greene County Daily World will again recognize local volunteers. Those local people who step up when something needs accomplished, and they do so without being asked.
The newspaper’s second annual Difference Makers banquet will be Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Goose Pond Lodge & Retreat, located a few minutes south of Linton on State Road 59. Our 10 finalists for Difference Maker of the Year will be featured the week before in a special section in the newspaper, and the winner will be announced at the banquet.
The banquet is open to the public, and is free. All we ask is for you call or email the newspaper to let us know you want to attend. You can call (812) 847-4487 or email general manager Christy Lehman at christy_lehman@hotmail.com . We ask for the notification so we can determine how much food to prepare.
Our sponsors this year are Jerry and Gayle Margraf of McDonald’s, Tracy Keen State Farm Insurance in Linton, Bob Burkle Chevy/Ford of Clay City, Save-A-Lot in Linton, and Goose Pond Lodge & Retreat. We also have one anonymous sponsor.
I’m looking forward to keynote speaker Archie Ellett, lead pastor at Linton First Christian Church, sharing his thoughts on volunteerism in our community. I’ve known of Archie since he was a member of the L&M High School basketball “Dream Team” in the mid-1980s and I was a sports writer back in the day.
He’s deeply rooted in the Greene County community, and does many behind-the-scene things to make our area a great place to live and worship.
I, like a lot of people, have been impressed with his work as the chaplain for the Linton-Stockton High School football team the past several years.
I’m sure his address on Sept. 21 will be heartfelt, and his message will be something we’ll want to share.
As you watch the news the next few weeks, keep those affected by Hurricane Harvey in your prayers. But also keep the volunteers in your prayers too.
And pick up the phone or send an email saying you want to attend the newspaper’s Difference Makers banquet to honor our local volunteers.
Chris is the publisher for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by email at cpruett79@gmail.com or by telephone at (812) 847-4487.
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