Have you ever experienced an act of human behavior that was so incredibly positive that it took your breath away? Something up close and personal and, oh, so fine? I expect that you have at some point in your life. Just last week I had this experience. It continues to “warm my innards” as it were but I’m getting ahead of myself.
I am a 50 + year member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church. That’s the one across the avenue from North Goodrich Park. We are a Bible believing group and, as many of you know, Jesus commanded that we love one another. A couple of years ago, we felt led to create more of a “neighborhood sense” on the east side of town. We asked ourselves, “Why not adopt, partner with, connect up with Milton East School and show our love to those kids and staff members?” We discussed this with Principal, Jen Cramer, (by the way, she’s a rock star but that’s another story). She liked the idea, so together, we worked out how to proceed. That was the birth of our East Side Story.
The activities of East Side Story have been a blessing to our church body and a blessing to the children and staff at Milton East. A win-win as it were. It has made we church members more aware, more sensitive, more loving to our close neighbor, the East kids and staff members.
So, let me return to my story. Several days ago, I was approached by a couple who asked to remain anonymous. They had received their stimulus check and felt moved to return a portion of that money to a need in our community. They strongly suspected there were local families who needed those funds far more than they did themselves and could I arrange a donation from them through our East Side Story to help Milton East needy families. Did you have to stop and catch your breath? I did again as I was writing this.
I called Jen Cramer to get her thoughts. She was overwhelmed as I had been and replied that, yes there were families who definitely could use financial help. She and her student services team sorted that end of the equation and six families were provided with $100 each in local gift cards. All I can say is WOW!
Stimulus checks can be a hot political topic. We all have different needs and financial resources. I wonder how many of us thought about giving some of ours away to those more in need than we ourselves? What a great idea and one that you might want to consider yourself. This generous act from this anonymous donor was clearly a true stimulus supporting lives, creating neighborhood, and building community. Thank you for your love and for showing us the way.
- Milton – What A Great Community!
#cruzan4milton#WEAREMILTON
No comments:
Post a Comment