The Power of Community

The Power of Community

Walking on the 400-plus-mile Camino de Santiago trail in Spain.

“In community, we can do just about anything!” —Mary Boutieller

By Linda Commito

I first met Transformation Coaching Magazine contributor Mary Boutieller and her husband John while writing stories on kindness for my book, Love is the New Currency. You may remember them as the “Firefighters with Compassion” who went to Nicaragua to bring muchneeded equipment and training to support a local community. They, and 12 other Sarasota, FL-based firefighters, not only helped by contributing a week of their time, experience and resources, but also spent heart-wrenching days to help families living in a Managua dump. They shoveled dirt and poured concrete to lay a foundation for Villa Esperanza, a home for 72 girls. As Mary put it: “We did anything they asked us to do, as hard as we could and as best we could.” Our paths have crossed many times over the following years, and although John and Mary have retired as firefighters, their lives and commitment to their community is inspirational. Most recently, Mary’s yoga students—of which I am lucky to be one—helped to raise money for a local food bank, as well as for the people of Ukraine. Now, they are embarking on a bigger venture with a mission to honor, connect and support a community that saved John’s life. I hope that after reading Mary’s letter, you will open your heart and help to demonstrate the power of a community in action.

Dear Wonderful Friends,

I want to tell you a story of the hands that lifted me up, and to ask for your help. Six years ago, John and I embarked on a hiking trip across Spain. We set out on the 400-plus mile pilgrim trail known as the Camino de Santiago. We wanted to see the country, meet people from all over the world, and reconnect to our spirits. We were over 200 miles into our journey when John started feeling ill. We laid low for a few days, but he only got worse. A doctor’s visit, a few unsuspecting angels and a fast taxi ride later, and John was in a hospital in Leon having emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix. He spent 10 days there and was able to fully recover. After John’s discharge, we flew back home as soon as he was able to travel again. To say that there were angels watching over us would be an understatement. There were so many chance meetings, individual kindnesses and caring acts that combined to save John’s life and lift me up in one of my darkest hours. That unfinished journey and our experience with the people there has never left us. Now it’s time for us to return and finish what we started. But our return to the Camino is more than completing a hike that was cut short. We want it to be a celebration of those helping hands that lift all of us up. In September, we will head back to Spain, visit the hospital in Leon, and walk 200 miles on the Camino Primitivo, a less-traveled and more mountainous path. Then we’ll go to Portugal, rent bicycles, and ride 174 miles on the Camino Portugues. We’ll finish in Santiago de Compostela, where we will give thanks for the amazing people who saved John’s life, and the friends and strangers who saved mine. And here is where we need your help! We believe all of us can make a positive difference in another person’s world. Many of the angels who saved John’s life probably don’t realize how important they were in my life. To pay it forward, we want to dedicate our walk to two amazing organizations and to raise $10,000 or more: Doctors Without Borders brings medical humanitarian assistance to victims of conflict, natural disasters, epidemics or healthcare exclusion. We have a special place in our hearts for the medical staff who saved John’s life, and for all those who do this day after day!

SOS Children’s Villages is the world’s largest nongovernmental organization focused on helping children at risk—including those who are homeless, neglected or abused, or who have been affected by natural or manmade disasters. And, we are partnering with Advancing Compassion Project (ACP) to make this a success. ACP has provided invaluable behind-the-scenes help and will match our fundraising, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000! Please help us raise up these two wonderful organizations through this fundraising effort. To me, they do the work of angels by stepping forward to help those most in need. For more information and to find the link to donate, go to: http://www.helplovegrow.org/critical-care-2022/. We appreciate you in our lives more than you know.

In Gratitude Always, Mary and John

I hope that you will join us in this opportunity to contribute in any way that you can to do something positive and demonstrate how the power of community can change lives.

Love is the New Currency

with Linda Commito

Linda Commito, author, speaker, entrepreneur, consultant and teacher, is passionate about her vision to leave this world a kinder, more loving, and interconnected place. Linda’s award-winning book of inspirational stories, Love Is the New Currency, demonstrates how we can each make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others through simple acts of love and kindness. Her latest project, the card game Just Ask 1 2 3, was inspired by a desire to connect people of all different ages, beliefs and lifestyles to share our individuality and find commonality. Linda also created “Kindness Starts with Me,” a program, book and website for children. For more information visit http://www.LoveistheNewCurrency.com or visit the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Justask123game.