I was thinking about my reasons for doing this Memorial Scholarship and of course there is the obvious, for Andy and to make sure that he is remembered. There's more to it than that though. Those of you who knew Andy knew he was passionate about politics but you may not have realized one of his driving reasons. I have always believed and taught my children that we all hold a personal responsibility to help each other and that only when society realizes this and stops relying on big govt to come to their rescue will we truly find peace and utopia. Perhaps it is idealistic but I believe that when people in a community have needs to be met that the community should come together to meet those needs. WE should pull together to make sure that people in our communities have food, shelter, support, companionship etc. These are things that WE are in a position to be more aware of than some politician sitting in Washington because they are our neighbors, our family and our friends. By helping one another we help enrich our own community and if each community does this then our country becomes a better place.
There is one thing that occupies my thoughts and occasionally distracts me from my emotional and physical pain and that is WHAT DO I DO NEXT? What do I do next to keep raising money? And once the scholarship is a full ride scholarship what is the next need to put money towards? There's certainly no shortage of needs. I can list a few I'd like to work on and that is regardless of the community I live in:
1) a teachers fund- so teachers can make learning more interesting and fun without having to reach into their own pockets or ask constantly from the parents because many parents just don't have the money to constantly put into project after project. Let alone the cost of field trips or things like band equipment, sports equipment and let's face it..hands on, real life learning is much more fun and interesting than just reading about it in a book.
2) Research and financial aid for struggling CFIDS patients. More people are disabled from this disease than many others. It's one of the leading disabling diseases in terms of numbers and the amount of pain and suffering it's victims undergo in the world yet in our country it is ranked toward the bottom when it comes to research funding. Also many of it's victims cannot work, cannot afford insurance thus cannot get what little treatment there is...we are invisible. I'd like to see that changed.
3) I'd love to help expand the rail trails program. Cycling is great exercise as is walking. These trails provide beautiful safe (out of road traffic) travel, not to mention for those of you who are dedicated to going green these provide a method of commuting that "leaves nothing but footprints". It would be so amazing to see these connected with bunkhouses so people could discover the wonders of nature. You definitely won't hear "I'm bored" on a cycling vacation with the kids! Direct the trails near historical landmarks and voila..income for the community, educational fun, exercise and travel all in one. Low cost infrastructure, work for people building them. ;)
4) Community resource fund- to be used as needed to fill the needs of individuals and families in the community. (Think expanded United Way)
These are just a few things. And they wouldn't take much. If each person came out to at least one of the fundraisers, had some fun and gave just a little these goals are all highly attainable. If each business (or person with "deep pockets") contributed to the fundraisers to bring the community together...they would get their company known in the community, they would unite the community building a stronger foundation where people want to stay and raise their families and keep their company a continuous patronage. It would build a stronger America and more stable economy in the long run. As it is it seems that everyone is scrambling around looking for this and it is no longer there or there are only small pockets of it here and there. We CAN get each other through these rough times and come out stronger for it if we take up our own personal responsibility and help each other.
As for future fundraisers? I think I might have some riding partners for the long distance ride ...so that MIGHT be back on. We have also been considering a retro prom/dance. There are a lot of things on this list...I just have to put my "feelers" out and see what seems to interest all of you the most. :) If you have ideas or like a particular idea I mention please comment on it! That's the only way we can know what YOU will like!
Much love,
Mom
No comments:
Post a Comment