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CHURCHES, ORGANIZATIONS AND CITY GOVERNMENT

I added city government to the topic because of a successful program in a nearby town. It isn't a huge town, but gangs exist everywhere. So does graffiti.

Churches supply most of the labor. In fact, the entire idea came from one church's youth group.

These workers do the physical work of cleansing, painting and whatever else needs done to eliminate the defacement to buildings, signs, walls and streets. Church youth groups of all denominations show up in good numbers to work, as do many adult church members. Working together, they accomplish a great deal in a relative short time. This work force consists of both male and female church members.

Businesses donate funding to buy the heavy-duty and special cleansers and paints. Many of these business people also show up in force on actual workdays. And, of course, many also belong to the different churches in the town.

City government also plays an active roll. The fire department supplies the ladders, high-pressure washers and their expertise in using such equipment. And again, many firemen show up to work on their days off. So do off-duty policemen and even a few elected officials. In fact, everyone who cares about the future of the town gets together and works together. The result is one of the cleanest towns around.

This project is only one way that everyone in a community can work together to better a town or a neighborhood.

Similar projects can include helping the elderly and disabled clean yards, make home repairs and/or even run errands for those who cannot shop for themselves. One group in another, really small city has a community effort to provide specialized medical equipment (from walkers to wheel and lift chairs to actual heavy-duty lift equipment for the severely disabled). Families who have lost loved ones donate much of the equipment. But again, donations from businesses and individuals provide funds to purchase hard-to-find items.

On this last one, fraternal and veteran's organizations also play an active role by providing some of the equipment (which they have been loaning people at no charge for many years). But today's increased lifespan also means more special needs as the population ages.

Most towns work together through churches, businesses and other organizations (including city government agencies) to sponsor collection drops for children with severe medical conditions that insurance just won't cover even if the parents has good health coverage. Even staying at a Ronald McDonald house doesn't cover travel and other expenses for a family.

Churches, of course, actively support such collections and businesses provide drops for collection boxes. Often, larger corporations or banks come in and double the total raised.

There are so many ways people can work together and fulfill community needs. To name a few more efforts briefly, even very small towns usually have a food bank. Larger towns often have agencies to help with rising energy costs and other emergency needs.

Here both the police department and the sheriff's department have funds to help stranded travelers with some car repairs, gasoline and/or transportation to the nearest passenger bus service...ticket included. There also is a joint-church emergency service to help cover the costs.

The key to making our world a better place definitely is working together. And do get involved. If you aren't physically able to labor, donate a few bucks when you can. If you don't have spare funds, offer to help with the paperwork or make phone calls. Every small bit helps.

Learn more about this author, Margaret Shauers.
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