Volunterism

As I reflect on the enormity of the effort we put forth to make The Moving Walls visit to Ossipee, a positive, and memorable event for all that visited it, I have to be awed by the dedication and energy put forth by the volunteers who helped make it possible. From the efforts of David and Susan Dube who were the driving force behind getting the wall to the area, to the kids who came and helped erect the Wall and help with parking. The wall walkers who showed up day after day and stood on their feet for hours at a time helping those who needed help or a shoulder to cry on, or just someone to share stories with. It was an awesome experience for all the visitors as well as all those who volunteered to help. The planning paid off, and even those who just heard about the event at the last moment and showed up asking what they could do to help.

Looking at this event and the some 23,000 people who visited, the number of people who helped put the event on is minuscule. I also look at other things I help on or have helped on in the past like the Ossipee Old Home Week which I was involved with for several years, a week long event that costs some $20,000 to put on, and has an event going on just about every night including one of the most awesome fireworks displays you could imagine for a small community like Ossipee, is co-ordinated and put on by only a very small handful of people (last years committee consisted of only about 6 people who came to the meetings. The act of volunteering seems dead, people do not seem to be willing to put any time into helping the community, while they are very eager to criticize how things were set up or done.

My wish for the world is that more people would find it in their hearts to help make their communities a better place. Put some time into the community and help make it a better place. The rewards you get back far exceed any inconvenience you may have to put up with.