Daniel J. Paul

Many of us have seen community service organizations in action, ranging from hosting and funding charitable events to supporting local youth groups. The list of their involvement in community support projects and program extends far and wide.

These service organizations go by a multitude of names, such as the Lions, Elks, Eagles and many more. They are comprised of volunteers whose main goal centers on creating a positive impact, not only on individuals, but also local communities as well. The following are just minuscule examples of their involvement and monetary support.

— Adopt-a-Veteran Program;

— Boardwalk for people with disabilities;

— Harbor House;

— OSF Auxiliary;

— Flag Day activities;

— High school robotics teams;

— Northwoods AirLifeline;

— Township fire departments;

— Bay Cliff Health Camp;

— Michigan Bikers Helping Veterans;

— Leader Dogs for the Blind;

— St. Vincent de Paul;

— Scholarship programs;

— Bay College scholarships;

— Native American scholarships;

— Purchasing eyeglasses.

This list could continue for quite a while, but you get the message. The last item on the list was eyeglasses, and I would like to share with you a short story, not only about that, but about a few others as well.

Regarding the eyeglasses, years ago, a service organization donated money for an individual in need to purchase eyeglasses. Time marched on, and one day a thank-you letter and a check for the exact amount expended arrived. It was from the same individual that they had helped years ago, thus reimbursing their act of kindness and paying it forward to others.

Another story centers on a man in a wheelchair who had embarked on a journey to raise awareness and funds for Bay Cliff Health Camp. (This camp supports individuals with special needs.) The trek was 103 miles long. A local service organization donated monies and provided a wagon to help gather contributions from the local communities that he traveled through. At the conclusion of his journey, he had raised $25,000.

The third story begins with a tragedy that occurred on a Friday night a few years ago. Sadly, a devastating automobile accident took the lives of both parents, leaving their children in the care of others. Although this service organization had been planning another benefit breakfast for that Sunday, upon hearing of the tragedy, they immediately rescheduled it and shifted their focus and energy into planning and preparing a benefit breakfast for the family. This was done in two days. The public’s response was enormous. Normally, they would have usually 100 people or so attending, but for this event there was 700.

In conclusion, the short stories, list of community projects, activities, and funding is but a snapshot of all that is donated. The main theme that resonates through all of these organizations is “People Helping People.” So, if you have been moved, please consider joining or financially supporting a local service organization, for they are one of the principal threads that binds our humanity together.

I thank these individuals for their input on this article: Harold Schermer, George Peterson, Steve Sullivan and Scott Kwarciany.

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For comments regarding this article, email Paul at meaningfuldifferences@gmail.com.