THE CARAVAN Volume 7, Issue 7, July 2008


GET INVOLVED

With our event 'Christmas in July' to benefit Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold coming up this week I thought I would revisit a Caravan from April of 2004.



Ever since I can remember I have been involved. I have never been one to sit on the side lines. Sometimes it leads to a very hectic day and sometimes when I have to deal with what seems like an overabundance of 2% activity, it can be hard to handle. But on the whole, getting involved is well worth the hassle.

When I talk about getting involved I mean volunteering…putting your hand up…stepping forward…joining the team…serving on the board…giving a hand.

I have to say that being involved has opened up many doors that would normally have been closed to me. Situations have presented themselves that have allowed me to see the world, meet and mingle with the most interesting people and get into places many people only dream about.

By getting involved you can give back to your community and your profession. Giving back is not about getting recognition…that’s phony…giving back is about helping others reach their goals and their potential. People who are doers are not takers. They give from the heart. They give because they care.

When you get involved you are able to be part of history. You can help shape society and you contribute to the well-being of many. Let me give you some examples of how you can get involved.

1-Volunteer for a not-for-profit organization.
2-Volunteer for your professional association.
3-Volunteer for a city committee.
4-Offer to be a part of a fundraising committee.
5-Help the needy.
6-Give your time to an elderly person as a companion.
7-Join a team or recreational club.
8-Give a neighbour a hand with a project.
9-Read to someone who can’t.
10-Be a part of the political process.
11-Get involved in your church, synagogue, mosque or temple.
I am sure you can think of many other ways that you can get involved.

Because of my years of involvement, I have met many people who have become long time friends and colleagues. I can’t begin to count the number of people who have touched my life and from whom I have learned much. Every time I have an interaction with someone while getting involved, I learn. And when I learn I grow and when I grow, I become more and more at peace.

Getting involved is living life to the fullest. I can honestly say that if I were to meet my end tomorrow, I would have no regrets. Life has been good to me because I have been good to life.

Many of us wonder if we are successful in this life. We often measure that success by the things we accumulate, not by our deeds. Too many of us are caught up in material things. I know that if I wanted to, I could have accumulated more wealth, but because I get involved, I have wealth that goes way beyond dollars or things. I have experiences, friends, connections and memories that make me far richer than material things.

I will leave you with this poem by Robert Louis Stevenson that tells it all...

That a person is a success, who has lived well, laughed often and loved much...who gained the respect of intelligent people and the love of children...who has filled their niche and accomplished the task: who leaves the world a better place than they found it. Whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul...who never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty...or failed to express it; who always looks for the best in others and GIVES THE BEST THEY HAVE!!!

Peace…


Ted



SPECIAL NOTICE:

CHRISTMAS IN JULY…SUMMER BBQ
FOR COMMUNITY CARE OF ST. CATHARINES & THOROLD
JULY 25TH AT 5PM – MARKET SQUARE, ST. CATHARINES

Please visit our website www.CooperativeAction.com or call 905-682-7380 for more info.


MOM’S TWO CENTS
By Jordin Williamson

MAKE A MEMORY

While on vacation this summer, we decided to take a family picture and have it framed. We got dressed up in our best vacation clothes (the ones not covered in sand and least wrinkled from the suit case) and we sat together on the front porch of the beautiful house we were staying at and we posed for a family picture.

This was officially our first real family vacation and we wanted to make the memory last forever. The picture turned out great. Everyone has a smile that bounces off their sun kissed skin. We had a wonderful time and you can see that from the picture.

The next day the kids and I went to the beach and we collected shells and pretty stones. We are using the collection to make a picture frame. Daddy collected crabs and clams but I wasn’t sure that those would hot glue well to the frame. So, we admired Daddy’s collection and then we made him throw them back. As a family project once we got home, we glued the shells and rocks to a wooden picture frame.

It may not be as nice as the frames that we saw in the gift stores but we made a memory. A memory of our first family vacation and I am proud to display it on our bookcase. Every time I walk past it, I remember the great time we had and the love that I am surrounded by every day.



Quote of the Month
Submitted by Brodi Mouradian

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead


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