Community spirit is valuable asset

Friday, June 6, 2008

These acts are rarely officially reported, seldom statistically tracked nor measured as an economic indicator of a vibrant and giving community of caring people. Government plays an important part in meeting societal needs but individual actions are invaluable and inspirational.

The human spirit includes a tremendous capacity to act heroically to save a life or to sustain, over decades, weekly acts of giving to one’s community. Dr. Bradley Gottfried, president of the College of Southern Maryland, organized a new Human Spirit and Enduring Spirit Award program to recognize just a few of the individuals of our region who inspire us through their acts of courage and compassion.

The Enduring Spirit Awards were given this first year to individuals who have been voluntary leaders by example in our community, either over decades or more recently, but in a way that helps and inspires others by their example.

Richard ‘‘Dick” Gregory came to Charles County in 1969 little knowing that he would devote his after-work life to helping thousands of others through his involvement with the Greater Waldorf Jaycees.

A good leader organizes others so that many can give of their time, talent and resources. Through his leadership efforts over the decades, millions of dollars were raised and thousands of hours of service donated to the Special Olympics of Charles County and to helping financially needy senior citizens by building and providing affordable housing.

He has led efforts to raise funds and award scholarships to students who have the intellect but lack the financial resources to attend colleges and build a successful career.

John Bloom of Indian Head has a similar story of forming the Indian Head Defense Alliance and helping to save the 3,000 jobs at the base, as well as many other examples of community giving.

An example of the Human Spirit Award is Helen Wernecke of St. Mary’s County who donated her kidney to a fellow church member Michael Pipkin, who was losing hope that he would receive a kidney from the waiting list of donors. Upon hearing his prayer request, she thought about seeing him every Sunday in church, knowing of his need, and realizing that she was called to help him and his young family. She consulted with her husband and decided to make the gift of a healthy kidney, which saved not only Michael’s life, but someone else’s on the waiting list.

A selfless act of giving inspires us to reflect on what sacrifice we are willing to do to help another.

Wardell Swann in 2001 was embarked on a successful career at Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative when an infection resulted in the loss of his fingers and legs. He not only learned how to work with his challenges, but went on to win gold and silver medals in the national Paralympics. He weekly shares his motivational message with Iraq War amputees and helps raise funds for children who cannot afford prosthetics.

His enduring spirit through his own trials and turning that experience into a mission to help others qualified him for an Enduring Spirit Award. He maintains a successful career at SMECO while giving to so many others.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued stimulus checks to encourage us to spend money on ourselves to stimulate the sagging economy.

I hope that the above stories of acts of kindness will motivate some to invest a part of these dollars on a charity or need of your choice. We have an abundance of nonprofit organizations in Southern Maryland who have the dedication, talent and ability to turn your donations into tangible results for a diversity of good deeds for our community.

Or if you know of a friend who has been laid off due to the downturn and cannot make a car payment, perhaps you can help with a loan or a gift so they have the means to continue to travel to job interviews.

There are as many ways to help friends, family or associates in need as there are the spirit to do the unexpected, and to give of the heart, the mind and of your ability.

Each day in Southern Maryland, thousands of people give selflessly to another person or cause in need.

The economic impact of such caring is measured in the heart of the giver and the hope of the receiver.

Such acts are what make our region a special place to live.

Wayne E. Clark is the executive director of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland. He can be reached at 301-870-2520 or wclark@tccsmd.org.