This morning I was feeling sad, blue, overwhelmed, nowhere, cave-woman-like, but I went to the Habitat for Humanity breakfast anyway. I had signed up a while back and I wasn't NOT going to go because they had me RSVP and it would mean wasted food.
It was the first one I've ever been to though I have volunteered sporadically in the last 15+ years I've lived here. I arrive in my biking gear, and there's a formal breakfast set up and lots of people with suits and ties and business attire. It was a networking/fundraising breakfast. Ack! But that's ok, soon in I realized they needed all types of people there - volunteers help attest to the important work that is done.
A woman who was chosen to get a home spoke. A few quotes:
[she was so down and poor that] I coudn't even afford to dream.
Homeowners are required to put in sweat equity - I believe 300 hours (or is it 100 - likely 100). She put in 150 because: These people are working hard and what am I going to say, oh I've done my time, I'm done?
When she got the house and was living in it: When I look at a window it reminds me of a face [of a person who worked on that]. When I look at a door, it reminds me of a person.
So, you know, I cried some (as did others, including a guy at a table nearby who kept wiping his nose with his napkin). I also was of course inspired by the man (simple professor) who has to date donated a couple hundred thousand dollars. And it got me thinking outside my little hermit bubble, which was a good thing.
It's a great organization btw, and there are affiliates everywhere.
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7 comments:
Thank you... I needed to hear this today. It's so easy to forget how the world works, those who go without, those who give and share. When the two come together... it is a thing of beauty.
It is good to look outside every so often. I've thought about getting involved again with some service organizations. It might be now is the time.
My daughter does a lot with Habitat for Humanity. It's a great organization. It's awesome that you do your part too.
Although I haven't gotten of my lazy arse and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, they are one of my favorite organizations and I donate to them when I can.
Good for you for walking the walk...lots of us just talking the talk.
Ananda, good.
Susan, yeah, I might need to get back into it also. It just kinda sucks when you have your own house to fix up to try and do it for other people.
Churlita, I should do more.
Laura, good. Glad you donate to them.
always heard good things about this organization. Props to you for giving your time.
Oh, I'm glad you went too! It's a great opportunity to get outside of ourselves and to do with as well as for others.
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