Who really cares...?

Who really cares…?

 Last night I was at the obligatory, annual neighborhood Bunco party.   I won’t bore you with what should be the obvious reasons I dread this event.  However, I must admit I always leave gratified that I attended after spending time with some of the accomplished and fascinating people that live around me.  I had one particular conversation that compelled me to get up early on a Sunday morning to share it with the world!  The wine and the lateness of the hour prevented this from happening earlier…

One of my neighbors began telling me about a ministry he recently toured that helped children who lost their parents.  He was touched by the commitment of the staff to the kids.  That led to us talking about HOPE Helps, a foundation in Oviedo started by Krissy Todd that transformed a thrift store into a ministry that addresses the needs of families facing financial stress.  Again a story of people making the most out of limited resources to help others.

I have had personal experience with a foundation who gave large five (5) figure checks to public educational organizations at the same time giving small four (4) figure checks to small private local charities.  The gratitude from the private charities was overwhelming while in some cases we even had problems getting the checks to the public groups and in one case they actually lost our check!

Remember several years ago when we became aware of the salaries of the United Way and the American Red Cross executives.  Check out the salary of the CEO of UNICEF!  The vast majority of the local private charities spend only a fraction of their budgets on administration.  Not to mention how responsive these groups are to the actual needs of the people they serve.  The stories will warm your heart and bring tears to your eyes.

Why don’t we hear about the dreams of terminally ill children that have been fulfilled by Give Kids the World?  What about the families that have been fed and the unemployed people who have found jobs through the effects of the good people at Christian HELP?  The list goes on and on of the amazing work by our neighbors who saw a need and are making a difference.  They do it not for the glory or the big bucks; they do it because they are called and because they care!  We know they will a rewarded far greater than any of us could ever imagine, but is it not time for us to pull alongside them and give them a hand.  Seek out a local charity that is addressing a need that touches your heart, and then give what you can whether that is your time or your resources.  Your efforts will be so greatly appreciated and you will be the richer for it.

Mike Bass