Making a Difference

[GoodWitch58]

I have enjoyed the "Making a Difference" stories that NBC News has been airing recently. Especially the ones that focus on someone or some business or group in the community who is doing something especially to make life a bit easier during difficult economic times...like the restaurant in California that provides food and people pay whatever they can, or they do some work for their meal.

Today, I was wondering about these kinds of stories here in our community. Who or what is making a difference here in Sowal?

My first mention goes to the Kids Fishing Tournament Saturday. That experience made a real difference to some of our children. Not that it was done specifically because of the economy, but it was offered up as a gift to the children of the community and I think it was terrific.

Christ the King Church on Highway 393 is providing meals one night a week to anyone who needs to eat;

and the annual auction and raffle of the Playhouses by Children's Health Network not only provide endless fun for the children during November, but the proceeds pay for dental work for many children in the County.

I am sure there are others -- who is making a difference in your world, either here in Sowal, or elsewhere? Have you made a difference with no thought of repayment? Who has paid it forward recently?

 

[Susan Horn]

Well, a friend of mine's house was struck by lightning and burned -- she was lucky to get out alive -- and last week, there was a party for her, for people to bring whatever they could to help her out till the house is fixed and insurance $$ comes through. Food, wine, money, gift certificates, clothes, offers to work on the house, etc.

And I don't nkow if this counts as paying it forward, but lots of folks are supporting the Saturday Farmer's Market in Seaside as a way to build community, strengthen the local economy, and create a market for more local produce. It's a fun way to connect and share, and I believe this whole local food, support local business energy has great potential in making our community as a whole more resilient and vibrant.

There's also ACT Walton, a program of the Extension Service, creating ways to strengthen the local economy and connect growers in the north of the county with markets/buyers in the south of the county.

 

[GoodWitch58]

Fabrice on 98 is offering their wonderful food for whatever you can pay.

HandyMan Connect is giving a discount to military, law enforcement, and fire fighters...those who keep us safe.

 

[Beauty hunter]

Kindness- a lost art in many cases. When I lived in Miami, my roommate and I were in coconut grove and as we were walking around in the crowd we noticed an emaciated man(almost all bones) lying on the sidewalk. We asked him if he was ok- he told us he was a junkie and needed some(heroin that is). We told him we didn't do that and offered to give him a ride home. He said he didn't have a home so we took him home with us. It turned out he was from a very expensive neighborhood, had become hooked on heroin, and out of shame was not in contact with his family. We had a christian fellowship in our home every week and he became involved because he knew that we loved him. He eventually got on methadone, gained weight, and reconciled with his family. As we were moving from the area, he had gotten off methadone and was clean, got a job, and was actively involved in trying to help people that had fallen into the same trap that he had been in.
There is a saying that no good deed goes unpunished and that has been the case at times, but in this case, one act of kindness affected many lives in a positive way. There is another saying that wounded dogs bite so yes we did take precautions, but we were in Miami to reach out to people and he was one that came across our path. Kindness is an art and has companions like knowledge & wisdom(knowledge applied). Know when to hold'em and when to fold'em. If we need wisdom, we can ask God. He knows how to communicate with us individually. Some people call it intuition. We believe in this particular case it was God working in us to help this individual. Was I scared? Yes. Did I want to do it? Not necessarily. It was alot of work, but it was worth it. Thanx for asking.
Will I be judged in writing this? Of course. People will congratulate or scoff, but I didn't do this for praise or not do it because I feared opposition. There will always be opposition no matter what you do- good or bad. You just have to keep keepin on... personally, I believe acts of kindness are rose petals on your path that lead the way to your dreams at the end of your rainbow. Flowery and possibly corny, but it does leave a good mind picture. Many acts of kindness have come back my way over and over. I always say a prayer for those people because I could never repay them the way they should be repaid. Am I a preacher? no. I am a mom. Am I always kind? Get outta here. I used to teach aerobics without a microphone- can be loud sometimes, but sergeant sometimes falls in the category of mom by default. I'm human just like u. See ya around and by the way, thanx everyone for your kindness on sowal!!!

 

[ItzKatzTime]

Kindness- a lost art in many cases. When I lived in Miami, my roommate and I were in coconut grove and as we were walking around in the crowd we noticed an emaciated man(almost all bones) lying on the sidewalk. We asked him if he was ok- he told us he was a junkie and needed some(heroin that is). We told him we didn't do that and offered to give him a ride home. He said he didn't have a home so we took him home with us. It turned out he was from a very expensive neighborhood, had become hooked on heroin, and out of shame was not in contact with his family. We had a christian fellowship in our home every week and he became involved because he knew that we loved him. He eventually got on methadone, gained weight, and reconciled with his family. As we were moving from the area, he had gotten off methadone and was clean, got a job, and was actively involved in trying to help people that had fallen into the same trap that he had been in.
There is a saying that no good deed goes unpunished and that has been the case at times, but in this case, one act of kindness affected many lives in a positive way. There is another saying that wounded dogs bite so yes we did take precautions, but we were in Miami to reach out to people and he was one that came across our path. Kindness is an art and has companions like knowledge & wisdom(knowledge applied). Know when to hold'em and when to fold'em. If we need wisdom, we can ask God. He knows how to communicate with us individually. Some people call it intuition. We believe in this particular case it was God working in us to help this individual. Was I scared? Yes. Did I want to do it? Not necessarily. It was alot of work, but it was worth it. Thanx for asking.
Will I be judged in writing this? Of course. People will congratulate or scoff, but I didn't do this for praise or not do it because I feared opposition. There will always be opposition no matter what you do- good or bad. You just have to keep keepin on... personally, I believe acts of kindness are rose petals on your path that lead the way to your dreams at the end of your rainbow. Flowery and possibly corny, but it does leave a good mind picture. Many acts of kindness have come back my way over and over. I always say a prayer for those people because I could never repay them the way they should be repaid. Am I a preacher? no. I am a mom. Am I always kind? Get outta here. I used to teach aerobics without a microphone- can be loud sometimes, but sergeant sometimes falls in the category of mom by default. I'm human just like u. See ya around and by the way, thanx everyone for your kindness on sowal!!!

It is just as appreciated in helping one person as 100 people. It may even be harder to help one...but I am so glad you posted your experience. You are definetly a beautiful person!!!

Thank you for your openness!
Kat

 

[Beauty hunter]

Pass around that pie to Seagrove coyote cafe- they're getting alot of action right now cause they're new. You may not want to be that busy- I don't know... There's nothing like food made with love!!! Those people there are very nice. YOU make a difference.

 

[Matt J]

Free dry cleaning for job seekers in Destin, no driving required.

Free Dry Cleaning for Job Seekers

 

[ItzKatzTime]

Thanks for this thread "Making a Difference"

Thanks goodwitch58. I've been thinking about this thread since you posted. It really connects the community. I can't do anything grandiose, but dang I know I can help one person. I already know who it is. And that makes me feel good!

Also trying to locate an elementary age child in our area who has needs. I have someone helping me with that.