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We’ve all heard the saying about giving your time, talent and treasure to causes you support. Volunteers in our community do that every day.
We are proud to recognize them at the annual Spirit of Community Banquet. Being a volunteer isn’t easy. Volunteers are committed to helping people but sometimes they have to deal with disgruntled members of the public. Volunteers have to be very patient.
We live at a time when the world seems divided and we look to Washington to solve our problems. We need to look in the mirror. The solutions are here. Some people want uniformity. If someone doesn’t agree with them or look like them, that’s not acceptable. I’ve often said the important part of the word “community” is “unity.” The heart of community is coming together no matter our differences to make this a better place.
We schedule the Spirit of Community Banquet on the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day for a good reason. Berea has an MLK Week – a week of service. Berea also has a day to thank those who serve.
A song associated with the Civil Rights Movement and MLK Jr. Week is “We Shall Overcome.” We don’t sing “We will solve.” But we overcome. We can drown out the darkness with light. We can all help even in some small way to make this a better world.
The first Spirit of Community awards were given at my first inauguration 11 years ago. I thought we have to do more in city government than pave roads and pick up the garbage. I saw the example in my parents. They gave of themselves to this community without any expectations or thoughts of recognition. I gave the first Spirit of Community Awards to them.
Then we honored St. Paul Lutheran Church and American Legion Post 91 and I thought we should do this again to recognize all the volunteers.