http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/columnis...536&format=text
QUOTE
Take heart, better times ahead
By Sen. John F. Kerry/ Guest Columnist
Thursday, December 22, 2005 - Updated: 01:09 AM EST
In 2005, as our world was battered by earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes, we were reminded both of our life’s fragility and the real strength of our nation. Unprecedented suffering was matched by the sacrifice and generosity of countless Americans who rushed to do their part. Here in Massachusetts, families and organizations have gone above and beyond the call of duty, giving their all to help those in need, reminding us again that what was written 100 years ago is still true: America is great because Americans are good.
In this holiday season of giving, we should honor our fellow citizens who have given of themselves so others could heal.
I had the privilege to work with the people of Mendon, Massachusetts, a small town whose 6,700 residents adopted Waveland, Mississippi, after it was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Under the leadership of Ken O’Brien, chair of the Board of Selectmen, Mendon sent police cars, emergency personnel, and tens of thousands of hard-earned dollars to Waveland.
Two months later, the people of Mendon haven’t forgotten Waveland. Just last week, Mendon rallied communities all over Massachusetts to send supplies and gifts for the holidays. North Adams donated 100 backpacks filled with school supplies. The William H. Lincoln School in Brookline sent hundreds of books to replenish the school library that drowned in Katrina’s waters. The people of Mendon have done our state so proud. Waveland, Mississippi will never forget them, and Massachusetts should never forget their example.
So many others across our state joined Mendon in going the extra mile in the wake of Katrina. From non-profits like the Greater Boston Food Bank -- to companies like Timberland, FedEx, UPS, Shaw’s, The Eastern Bag & Paper Company and New Balance -- to houses of worship like St. Paul’s AME in Cambridge under the leadership of Rev. Richard Richardson -- Massachusetts communities gathered supplies, made donations, and even opened their homes to complete strangers. And it didn’t matter how small the efforts were, because every little bit counted.
When people like Sue Rushford of Waltham volunteered for days on end at the Horizons for Homeless Children Center at Camp Edwards so displaced children could have a place to play and just be kids, it made a big difference. When students in Springfield Public Schools and Grafton Middle School and Girl Scout Troop 1374 in Stoneham emptied their piggy banks, it made a big difference.
As much as all parents relish the holiday season for the opportunity to spend time with our children, we shouldn’t forget to learn from them as well. Students at Higginson Elementary School in Roxbury and East Taunton Elementary School recently wrote letters of support to our brothers and sisters in uniform overseas. The letters they wrote were just amazing, but what was even more amazing about these kids was that they understood instinctively something as adults we can easily forget --doing the right thing is the best feeling of all.
Massachusetts is home to incredible individuals who have always understood that lesson. They have devoted their life to service -- helping those in need in all years, at all times. They’re people like Louise Etheridge, who has been volunteering in my office at least twice a week for the last 20 years. They’re people like Rufus Faulk, a former intern in my office, who works year-round at the Ten Point Coalition mentoring at-risk black and Latino youth. Then there’s Jansi Chandler of Swampscott, who has raised $2.2 million to enable Girls, Inc. of Lynn to continue providing essential resources and programs to at-risk, low-income girls and their families.
There are countless individuals and organizations across Massachusetts that could have been spotlighted in this column. But in your community, you know who they are. And as we gather with our families this holiday season, we should all take a moment to honor them for all they have given, and to remember that in this year when natural disaster left so many without family members to celebrate with, or homes to celebrate in, there is so much giving left to be done.
In this holiday season, I also want to thank you for the privilege of serving you in the United States Senate, and wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season and continued blessing in the New Year.
By Sen. John F. Kerry/ Guest Columnist
Thursday, December 22, 2005 - Updated: 01:09 AM EST
In 2005, as our world was battered by earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes, we were reminded both of our life’s fragility and the real strength of our nation. Unprecedented suffering was matched by the sacrifice and generosity of countless Americans who rushed to do their part. Here in Massachusetts, families and organizations have gone above and beyond the call of duty, giving their all to help those in need, reminding us again that what was written 100 years ago is still true: America is great because Americans are good.
In this holiday season of giving, we should honor our fellow citizens who have given of themselves so others could heal.
I had the privilege to work with the people of Mendon, Massachusetts, a small town whose 6,700 residents adopted Waveland, Mississippi, after it was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Under the leadership of Ken O’Brien, chair of the Board of Selectmen, Mendon sent police cars, emergency personnel, and tens of thousands of hard-earned dollars to Waveland.
Two months later, the people of Mendon haven’t forgotten Waveland. Just last week, Mendon rallied communities all over Massachusetts to send supplies and gifts for the holidays. North Adams donated 100 backpacks filled with school supplies. The William H. Lincoln School in Brookline sent hundreds of books to replenish the school library that drowned in Katrina’s waters. The people of Mendon have done our state so proud. Waveland, Mississippi will never forget them, and Massachusetts should never forget their example.
So many others across our state joined Mendon in going the extra mile in the wake of Katrina. From non-profits like the Greater Boston Food Bank -- to companies like Timberland, FedEx, UPS, Shaw’s, The Eastern Bag & Paper Company and New Balance -- to houses of worship like St. Paul’s AME in Cambridge under the leadership of Rev. Richard Richardson -- Massachusetts communities gathered supplies, made donations, and even opened their homes to complete strangers. And it didn’t matter how small the efforts were, because every little bit counted.
When people like Sue Rushford of Waltham volunteered for days on end at the Horizons for Homeless Children Center at Camp Edwards so displaced children could have a place to play and just be kids, it made a big difference. When students in Springfield Public Schools and Grafton Middle School and Girl Scout Troop 1374 in Stoneham emptied their piggy banks, it made a big difference.
As much as all parents relish the holiday season for the opportunity to spend time with our children, we shouldn’t forget to learn from them as well. Students at Higginson Elementary School in Roxbury and East Taunton Elementary School recently wrote letters of support to our brothers and sisters in uniform overseas. The letters they wrote were just amazing, but what was even more amazing about these kids was that they understood instinctively something as adults we can easily forget --doing the right thing is the best feeling of all.
Massachusetts is home to incredible individuals who have always understood that lesson. They have devoted their life to service -- helping those in need in all years, at all times. They’re people like Louise Etheridge, who has been volunteering in my office at least twice a week for the last 20 years. They’re people like Rufus Faulk, a former intern in my office, who works year-round at the Ten Point Coalition mentoring at-risk black and Latino youth. Then there’s Jansi Chandler of Swampscott, who has raised $2.2 million to enable Girls, Inc. of Lynn to continue providing essential resources and programs to at-risk, low-income girls and their families.
There are countless individuals and organizations across Massachusetts that could have been spotlighted in this column. But in your community, you know who they are. And as we gather with our families this holiday season, we should all take a moment to honor them for all they have given, and to remember that in this year when natural disaster left so many without family members to celebrate with, or homes to celebrate in, there is so much giving left to be done.
In this holiday season, I also want to thank you for the privilege of serving you in the United States Senate, and wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season and continued blessing in the New Year.