As we all come to grips with the results of last week’s election, and try to come to terms with the feelings aroused within us due to it, the silver lining I find is that perhaps it’s opened our eyes a little bit to the world around us. There are some in our community for whom the person in office is of little consequence, for whom finding there next meal is of far greater concern. Let’s pledge to ourselves that over the next few years we try to do a better job of helping them. I can’t speak for everyone, but I know that I got a bit complacent over the past 8 years. This election woke me up, and made me realize that I need to start thinking less about my bottom line and more about others around me who aren’t as fortunate as I am.
Cheri Honkala of the Poor People’s Human Rights Campaign didn’t need an election to tell her that. She’s dedicated her entire life to the homeless. And that continues next Tuesday, when she is helping to organize a dinner for 300 homeless people at the Worship Center on North 6th Street. I told her we’d help raise money so they could buy whatever foods they wanted to for the meal. So I will be asking for donations this week at the quiz. And I’ll be working more closely with Cheri in the future as well, and probably leaning on you guys a bit more than I have in the past.
When we did raffles for Minds Matter in September, we raised $732. We’ve got a really special community that always comes to the plate when I ask them to give, and I am grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful people. Thanks, and look forward to seeing you guys this week!