Paying It Forward: Passion drives service
Paying It Forward: Passion drives service
Subfreezing weather threatend 4Ps: People, Pets, Plants and Pipes. Passion for others drives the service and care. We are all together, listening to serve best.
Published Wichita Falls, Times Record News, Jan 21, 2023
Record low temperatures remind us to care for the 4Ps: People, Pets, Plants and Pipes. Our city is blessed with a caring citizenry with a passion for service. Volunteers offer the time, talent, treasure and testimony for the betterment of our community, some in anonymity others elected to serve, like our Mayor and Council members.
Tuesday the Mayor and Council recognized WFPD Officer Danny Saravane as Employee of the Month. As the most senior Training Officer, Saravane’s passion, provide the best possible training experiences so officers come home safely every day. Thank you Officer Saravene, and all the public safety officers who stand ready to assist and protect on a moment’s notice
A younger peer shared, “Older generations don’t listen,” during Rotary Leadership Institute training Saturday. I was reminded (again), “How can we serve, if not first understanding.” Parents and teachers repeatedly reflected, “Two ears and one mouth.”
Volunteering for lunch service at Faith Mission, I chatted briefly with Steve Sparks, Chief Executive Officer. Steve shared that people are suffering with the record cold temperatures and high winds. The last few days, lunch crowds have been much larger. Understanding the needs of clients means providing kennels for a homeless person’s only faithful companion. One woman suffered thru the subfreezing temperatures last weekend till finally accepting separation from her dog in return for shelter at Faith Refuge for both; thanks to one persistent volunteer’s listening.
Melancholy, flip side of passion, becomes visible as suffers refuse to comply with rules to come in from our subfreezing temperatures and winds. How say yee, “are you depressed?” If it takes seconds to decide then you are melancholy perhaps, . . take a moment and do something for yourself:
Dial 988 for Suicide and Mental Health hotline reminds Texas DHHS Suicide Prevention web site. Other assistance is available by calling 211 or by reaching out to Interfaith Ministries, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Faith Mission / Faith Refuge
Volunteer: Many Hands Make Light Work! It's proven that volunteering in service to others makes us feel better. Join me in service Saturday Jan 27 at the 68th annual University Kiwanis Pancake Festival. Other urgent needs: Donate Blood, Deliver Meals on Wheels, Big Brothers Big Sisters, WFISD, Food Bank, our many Food Pantries, including MSU Student Pantry.
How Are the Children Doing?
