My good friend Rob has started something. And I think it's the most positive non partisan, cross party idea I've heard in a long time. The Small Hero Challenge.
Here's what Rob has to say about it all:
A little follow up on my last post.
That "heroism" doesn't require that we put our lives on the line.
That small acts can make a difference.
Today I sponsored a 9 year old boy named Sankagdja in Burkina Faso, through the Christian Children's Fund.
I'm not a particularly ardent Christian, and go to church only two or three times per year, but I checked out the charity and it has done some great work abroad by helping children in need.
So - I've sort of done this before to some criticism, but I think it's still worthwhile - today I'm challenging all political bloggers and readers to do more than complain, to do some act for another and then blog on it and pass on the challenge to others - either of similar political stripe or not.
Donate to a charity, shovel your neighbor's walk, hold a door for an elderly person, whatever.. do some minor act of heroism, some positive act.
As bloggers, our bread and butter is complaining about the world around us so often - but, as the saying goes, "Better to light one candle, than to curse the darkness."
Some in the past have suggested that the most selfless charitable act is done anonymously.
Perhaps.
But I think in an age of growing cynicism, at a time where so many of us advertise our success by the stuff we own, it is worthwhile to identify yourself by some positive thing that you do for someone else.
Go ahead.
And let me know about it if you like.
So dear friends, I challenge you all to pick up on what Rob has started and pass the challenge on to others. Naturally, come back here and tell us what you've done for your small hero cheer.
Friday I'll be dropping off some cases of soup to my local Foodbank. For me charity starts here at home, and although Burlington has the elusive look of success, it still has its more-than-fair share of those in need.
Next week I'll be visiting my home town of Niagara to drop off some goods to their food bank. You can't forget where you came from.
4 comments:
Thanks James - I appreciate the plug very much - I think as bloggers it's easy to get caught up in negativity about the things we seek to change or challenge - and it's nice to give something a little positive to our readers to chew on.
Best wishes to you and yours this holiday season :)
And you and yours as well buddy.
Cheers!
From personal experience I can tell you the waif they sent you a picture of may not even exist. The money you send pays their full-time staff and funds their expensive TV time. If they have in-country staff I can virtually guarantee that they drive SUV's and live in post quarter away from refugees or whatever.
It's similar to the telemarketing people who call you with begging calls. They usually skim 80% off the top. I know that to be a fact, bucko.
Well, Bucko, I can tell you from personal experience, ANY and ALL food that I deliver to my local foodbank here and in Niagara serves and stays with the families here locally that require it.
As a volunteer with the foodbank I can state this for a fact. If it's shipped out anywhere, it's shipped to a soup kitchen in a nearby location such as Hamilton.
None of us are asking anyone to donate to some random telemarketer. I think most are smarter than that. But hey, if you wanna rain on our parade, feel free to express yourself openly oh scroogy one.
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