"BRICK BY BRICK" HELPING THOSE IN NEED
This is the first of a series of blog entries that we hope will challenge you to act. There are families in our community today that are need of food, shelter and clothing. In fact you probably know someone who has recently lost their job or perhaps is in jeopardy of losing their home. Even more distressing, it’s just as likely that you see people every day that have been severely impacted by this crisis, yet show no outward sign of distress - people that need your help.
No one individual can solve the challenges we face today. But stringing together many little actions reveals the true power of charitable giving – the ability to make things better. It’s like building a new home. When we build a house, it doesn’t spring miraculously from the ground; it rises one brick at a time. Each brick placed by someone in our community. The result is a home - a home that can provide shelter to a family that needs it. That’s how small, individual acts added together can change someone’s life.
Jacob Riis (an early affordable housing advocate in New York City circa 1900) once said that “among the saddest things must be to go one’s grave without having in some way eased the burdens of humanity.” His point was that having lived a life in which one made no effort to ease the suffering of others was no life at all. He understood that the power of giving is a two way street. The recipient’s life is improved by the gift, but the giver also benefits.
Right now you have an opportunity to give (and receive) in a new and important way. In recognition of the unique nature of this extraordinary economic crisis, the United Way of Western Connecticut is launching an emergency basic needs campaign. Please heed the call to help those in need in our community by going to our campaign web site (www.takefivetogive5.org) and contributing. If you give $5 or $25 or $50 and you take five minutes to ask five friends to do the same, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in an historic response to crisis in our communities. Even better, give in someone’s name and ask them to pass the giving on. You will certainly change someone’s life – perhaps even your own.
Join the blog and tell us how you’ve lived the Take Five to Give 5 slogan.
Posted by:
Michael Johnston
CEO, United Way of Western Connecticut
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