By Shannon Williams
I am writing this on what is a “holiday” but I seem to have spent most of the day in my office in front of my computer like any other Monday; but, this one is a little different. This holiday (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. It is really not important if you believe that Dr. King deserved a holiday, we can all agree that having a day for service to improving our community is a good thing. We are very lucky as we live in a community that many people work each day to improve the place we call home or the place we love to visit.

The Bolivar Peninsula is an easy place to do some good; you can join with formal groups (Keep Bolivar Beautiful, Eagles, Lions, Crab Fest, youth sports groups, the Krewe, the volunteer fire departments, the animal rescue groups ,cultural foundation, and the rescue groups; the list can go on and on and I apologize for anyone I left off. The fact is, we live in a community that is small enough to be able to join groups and big enough that you can just do your own thing and still make a difference. Volunteering has always been a way to get to know your community, your neighbors and to make friends.

There are just not many negative things about being a volunteer to help your community. I have lived in communities that you “had to know someone” to get into a group to volunteer or even make a good size donation to a group just to get to help, but not here. If something is happening and you show up to help you will be put to work, asked to come back and then invited to join two other groups who need help. I know many so called “retired folks” who are busier than they were when they were working, but spending your retirement helping is a healthy way to live and to give back for what you have been given.

I don’t want to think about what the world would be like without service groups and volunteers. I was a member of Rotary at one time and their motto, Service About Self says so much, it reminds us to think of how we can help others instead of selfish thoughts. I don’t know about you, but often when I volunteer it is for selfish reasons, I want to meet new people, have fun times, feel good about myself and what I am doing and prevent myself from sitting at home and feeling sorry for myself. Most times after you have spent some time volunteering you are tired, and if you are on Crystal Beach you are hot and covered with your own sweat; but you feel good, you made something better.

It is so easy these days just to “post” what is wrong with the world, but it is also very easy to do something to change it. The issues and problems that need our help are overwhelming, but it all starts with a small step and one person. It is so needed today, we need to be the voice of change and change happens not in large happenings but in those small actions of each of us, when we reach out to help. So, let’s not worry about if we believe the same as others, but let’s start to take those small steps to change the way the world is now. You live in a place that has no shortage of opportunities to help, and most of the time you will be greeted with a smile and will make a new friend.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

[January-18-2021]