Growing Up to Volunteer
While we waited for Mary Evelyn and Nate’s turn in the crosscut saw contest last Saturday, I chatted with an acquaintance who worked in the “command center” of the Poke Sallet Festival. She mentioned that the group who usually organizes the festival didn’t want to do it this year. “Who did it?” I asked. “We did,” she answered. “My husband and I.” Then, she added that the American Legion got involved, too.
I was shocked — and grateful. “It was the 40th year,” she said. “We had to have it.” She and her husband couldn’t stand to let the festival die, so they jumped in and made it happen. Aren’t you proud of them?
When our family worked on our civics curriculum for grades 5 through 8 in 2013 (that’s Uncle Sam and You), I thought again and again about the outcome I hoped for. I wanted to inspire homeschooled children to grow up to be doers.
I don’t want homeschooled children to be folks who sit passively on couches watching television news, while saying, “Oh, me. Isn’t that awful?” Years down the road, I want them to say, “Let’s get going. Let’s get it done.”
I saw many “Let’s get it done” folks on Saturday and the handiwork of others who had worked behind the scenes:
The emcee who kept a funny running commentary going during one event after another.
The reenactors who opened the Gaines House (the oldest house in Gainesboro) so we could walk around inside.
The craftspeople who set up their booths to sell the work of their hands.
The people who entered their iris blooms in the annual iris contest at the museum.
The judges who chose the winners.
And Miss Katherine, who was helping to staff the museum.
At 93 years old, she hasn’t given up volunteering yet.
Even this sign on the town square is evidence that people 27 years ago cared enough to get us placed on the National Register.
I love to be around people who think outside the box, those folks who dream about what can be done. Combine that with the umph to get things done and you can get somewhere.
In all labor there is profit,
But mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 14:23