I have spent the last couple of months engaged with the United Way in our community. This is my fifth year and for the first time I have moved beyond the panel level to the fund distribution committee leadership role. It has opened my eyes and allowed me to see things I have not seen before. I was looking at the tail of the elephant and for the first time I am seeing much more of that elephant. It is a staggering view. As I watch the process unfold I am becoming more and more aware of how we are failing those who have the greatest need at the expense of those who are interested only in themselves. I am convinced if most people could spend the few hours I have seeing how much good these many agencies perform, they too would give more of the their time and money. I believe in the good ness of people. The United Way works hard to help people to grow. It is the volunteers who sometimes growth the most.
I initially worte this last night as I was pondering not only community involvement but the general condition of humans and their inability to think in terms of having a greater concern for the welfare of all rather than just themselves. A Christian perspective suggests that we care for others. Many people do this, but I also see many examples of where caring for others is not of prime importance in a person’s life. The desire for wealth has negatively effected the quality of life not only in the United States, but worldwide. Just this morning I listened to an NPR short report about the high numbers of inidvidiuals who are going to food kitchens – they are not just the homeless, but those who are not, but cannot pay mortgages, utilities, rent and also feed themselves and their family. I don’t consider myself political, but I think the political leadership of this country is going the wrong way!
Go to the December issue of National Geographic and see the section on Global Aid: Hope in Hell. In a very forceful and touching way it focuses on what I have just talked about.
