Human kindness has no age limit. Young, old and in-between can participate. Random acts of kindness may go unrecognized but not unappreciated. And it has been my personal experience that those who have the least seem to give the most.
This brings me to today's topic: giving. Seniors are known for giving, which is one of the main reasons scammers target them. We give of ourselves with financial support, empathic ears and our time.
We give to our adult children, help with or flat-out raise our grandchildren, and support local food banks and other charities.
If one of our neighbors needs help with transportation, shopping or yard work, we assist however we can. The reason why is straightforward. We have lived long enough to have "been there" or know someone who has.
Free Olympia
Recently I discovered a Facebook Group called "Free Olympia," where those who need something can ask for it, and those who have it can give it away. The "Asks" can range from prom dresses for teenagers, bicycles for someone needing transportation to work, and formula for babies.
The Facebook Free Olympia group is free to join, and there are no obligations to give – just if you want to and can.
I don't have words for how impressed I am with the people who frequent this site.
I have seen an Ask for help setting up a home for a mother and her children that has resulted in dishes, living room and bedroom furniture and more, along with referral information about local charities that can help.
Another Ask was for a friend moving into her own home, which resulted in a bed and frame, dishes, table and chairs, coffee pot and more.
I have seen Asks for washers and dryers, refrigerators, fans and heaters, all donated.
Some folks on this site are not asking – just giving because they are downsizing or replacing items or have things they no longer need.
More local heroes
I recently spoke to the publisher of The JOLT, Danny Stusser, about the possibility of stories about local heroes. He said we've published some and want more. So I ran the idea past the members of Free Olympia, asking for local heroes – not necessarily those who have already been recognized for saving someone from a burning building, but those who do for others because they have a need.
One of the replies came from a woman who wrote, "My older brother is my hero. I've been in an abusive situation for 13 years, and the only way I could get away was to hide, which made me homeless. My brother found me and rented me an apartment in Lacey. During the first year of my living there, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and my brother took care of me.
Definitely a hero in my book.
Another member expressed interest in writing for The JOLT, and still another told me she "Loves JOLT!"
Today's Local Hero
So how about you? Do you know someone who has quietly made a difference in someone's life? Someone you think should be recognized that has slipped under the radar?
I do. His name is Bill Scholl; he is a senior, retired pastor, and former Zone Chair for Lions Clubs District 19C. Bill is also legally blind, but this has not slowed him down one whit.
Currently Bill is raising funds for Mary Bridge Childhood Cancer Family Support Group, one of the charities local Lions Clubs support.
And he is doing this by walking 100 miles in 100 days. His goal is to raise $1000.00 to donate to this worthy cause, and he is almost there. If you want to help him reach this goal, go to http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bills100milesin100days.
Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia. Contact her at kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below.
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