My parents instilled in me the value of volunteering. Although they never really talked about the act of volunteerism nor commented on why they did it, they were always involved in some event. Mom worked frequently at her church. She donated time to the Red Cross, St. Jude’s fund raisers, her local Chamber of Commerce, and the backpack food program. Daddy was always building or making things, hauling supplies, donating and serving food, and so on. They taught by example.
One of the most impactful actions I will never forget was the year my parents’ Sunday school class were to adopt a family at Thanksgiving … or was it for Christmas? Mom and I (at a young age) visited the mother of the family at her home. The home was very small. The lady offered us coffee and mom accepted. As we watched her from our seats in her kitchen, she took the cups from the cupboard and began washing them, prior to pouring our drinks. Later mom said she did that to show us she was clean, just poor. I asked why some people have to be poor, some rich, and others – as us – just somewhere in between. Mom said it was because the poor had not always had the same opportunities as the more fortunate.
In America, that didn’t make sense to me. Everyone should have the same opportunities, I pondered. Mom thought about it too. The next Sunday she proposed to her Sunday school class that instead of adopting the family for the holiday, they should adopt the family for a year. They needed to get to know the family and their needs, wants, and desires. Then, mom met again with the lady. Mom asked if she could iron. The lady said she could, but her iron was not very fancy.
Mom’s class purchased the lady an ironing board and a nice iron, some distilled water, and spray starch. Mom delivered the equipment, along with a stack of clothing to iron. The lady did a beautiful job and was paid per piece, as was the custom in those days. She asked if she could take on more. The lady was so excited to have the extra money she enthusiastically said “yes!”
Over time, this lady made so much money ironing that she was able to buy a new car and a house. She and mom became friends. Whenever her family needed something, she would call mom and ask what she could do to obtain it. Sometimes her husband was able to work for items; sometimes they paid the cost price; and at times they items were simply donations.
The story was so inspiring to me as a young person that I learned the importance of offering a hand up. People want to maintain their dignity while needing help. Isn’t that why were are all on this earth – to be a good neighbor? Let us remember the joy we receive when helping others, especially when we can help them with a hand up.
Silver Sage Sisters 