WHEN WE think about the basic requirements of a thriving community, our minds naturally go to the grocery stores that feed us, the banks that hold our futures, and the schools that educate our children. We view these institutions as an important part of our daily lives. However, I believe our local charities belong on that list as well. A local charity is a group of loving neighbors coming together for good.
As a society, we often come up short of our goals. These gaps are just a part of living together in a complex world. The good news is that we are surrounded by people whose empathy and love simply overflow. Because of the character of our community, when we fall short, we do not give up. We come together with a sense of shared responsibility and go as far as we possibly can to bridge those gaps.
We do not always succeed with flying colors, but we certainly care about our neighbors. In a world that often feels uncertain and sometimes even scary, we are reminded that all we really have is each other. The empathy in our hearts and the very air we share only remain sustainable when we have each other’s backs. This commitment to one another must hold firm even when it is hard. It must remain true when the cost is high or the timing is inconvenient.
This issue of Good News shines a spotlight on our local charities and the individuals who keep them running. These organizations represent the best of us, turning abstract care into tangible action every single day. Our community is a better, more stable place because of their work. I hope that as you read their stories, you feel the same sense of pride and inspiration that we felt while putting this issue together. GN
