Community Sharing/Caring By Brenda McDaniel
March is a time of rebirth and conquering our fears of the past year. Political turmoil, racial protest, attack on our capital, and the pandemic. All these issues have been helped by our local, state, and federal leaders, and especially by our scientists, researchers, and health care workers. Thanks to God for the vaccine shots now available. In my community, in the last year and now, there are ministering angels. Those who felt an overwhelming need to reach out to others less fortunate. Like our local baby supply store, retailers, and Goodwill stores giving away diapers, etc. Or lowering costs of needed baby supplies for financially strapped mothers and fathers. Our local Feeding America, Salvation Army, churches, and community members who showed support of each other financially and through their service to each other. Also, retailers giving funds or food to help organizations that fed poor and needy people and families. Our community showed support to our frontline workers–doctors, nurses, police, and firefighters, etc. They put up thank you posters and signs at their work buildings, bought meals for our heroes, and they sewed face masks for others. The community’s special sharing/caring programs sent Valentine and Christmas cards and gifts to nursing homes and other organizations. 48 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 47
There were also special campaigns or drives to help Meals on Wheels, a local organization that brings hot meals to seniors who cannot cook or go out shopping. Also, retailers had special morning or evening hours for seniors only to shop so they could get needed supplies that others were hoarding. Worship in our churches changed during the pandemic. They had drive-in services, where people sat in cars listening to the service. Or they had virtual services. And now they’re allowed indoors but wear masks, social distance, and limit the number of worshipers. These are loving, caring, people, retailers, and organizations. They have shown us the best in our society and nation. We all should be proud of these special people, and particularly proud of our researchers, scientists, doctors, nurses, teachers, and all front-line workers. And we should especially love and praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For his caring, love, and saving grace that shined a bright light in our long dark tunnel!
