At this time of giving thanks, it is good to dwell on one aspect of American civilization that is quite different from, say, European civilization. In Europe, it is the government which provides for the welfare of people. Since the government does, ordinary citizens do not. Dependency on government grows and inertia spreads to those receiving welfare and those who let the government do the work
In America much of the charity flows from private sector individuals and organizations. And recipients know that other people voluntarily gave money or did work to help them have a better life. Community works.
What evokes this observation is a true story that hit the email box today.
It's always amazing to hear what one person can do.
A University of Notre Dame graduate living in the Lower Cape (and a member of the Notre Dame Club of Cape Cod) learned that the University was urging alumni groups and students to gather clothing to send to Haiti, which had suffered devastating blows from recent hurricanes. She thought she would see what she could do. Over the past several weeks she made calls, sent emails and contacted hundreds of people with her appeal for clothing for Haitians. The effects of her her astonishing commitment and success will soon be felt in Haiti. Her email today (name withheld for privacy purposes):
Other than offering our prayers for the U.S. Air Force pilots' safe trip to and from Haiti, we have completed our part in the “Hands & Hope for Haiti” project. The last few weeks were incredibly hectic with respect to the clothing drive. Consequently, I didn’t have a chance to inform everyone of the generous gift we received from Siracusa Moving & Storage Co. I had planned on driving our clothing donations to Youngstown on 11/22. I estimated our anticipated expenses for the truck rental, gas, and one-night accommodations at approximately $1,100. Just 1½ weeks prior to departure date, we received word from Ted Horan ’81, of Hartford, that his friend Dan Siracusa offered to have his moving company transport our boxes from Hartford to Youngstown free of charge. What a gift! I only had to get our boxes from the Cape to Hartford and, for that, Penske Truck provided us with a truck. We had to pay Penske only the insurance & environmental fees which came to approximately $95. With gas, our transportation costs were about $160. Those individuals who contributed gifts to help cover transportation expenses all asked that I keep their contributions and put them toward some other area of the clothing drive. I received all donors’ approval to purchase underwear for the people of Haiti.On Nov. 19, I drove over 250 banana boxes of clothing, (including almost $900 worth of new underwear!), to Hartford. The Siracusa Moving & Storage truck met me at Jim Smith’s house and, within 45 minutes, the movers loaded our more than 6,500 lbs. of clothing onto their truck. The clothing arrived safely in Youngstown on Friday morning, Nov. 22., and will be transported to the Dominican Republic on Dec. 5. The Dominican Republic’s 64 Rotary Clubs will transport the clothing to designated locations throughout Haiti.
In closing, I have to tell you I was more amazed every day by the generosity of so many. When I thought I was done folding and sorting, more clothes appeared on my doorstep. The beauty of your compassion and selfless giving quickly extinguished any feeling of being overwhelmed I may have had when my kitchen and family room floors were piled knee-high with clothes. Truly, this project snowballed more than I imagined it ever would. Every day was different and as new ideas unfolded, each one seemed to multiply our efforts exponentially.
On behalf of our brothers and sisters in Haiti, I thank you for your generous outpouring of love and compassion. “When I was naked, you gave me your coat.”
Happy Thanksgiving and, again, a very heart-filled thanks to all of you!
L.........
N.B. Since our club has helped Pope John Paul II High School, I thought you should know how the students have “given back”. The Student Council organized a mini-drive and asked all students to donate clothing for Haiti. They did a super job collecting, sorting and folding clothing for us. The kids were great and actually seemed to have fun doing this. While speaking with Chris Keavy [the principal], he expressed his appreciation for all our club has done for the school. As he said, we’ve got a win-win relationship.
On this Thanksgiving, we can all give thanks for the wonderful work of this woman who thought that just maybe she could do something for others. As the magnitude and demands of the project grew, she rose to the challenge.
What an example for all of us. One person can make a difference.
Happy Thanksgiving.
