I could not agree more with Secretary of State Sam Reed’s call for civic engagement and civility (Sunday Viewpoints, “Let’s bury the hatchet.”) Too often we are busy pointing fingers rather than rolling up our sleeves and becoming involved in local solutions.
Recently, Monroe’s community garden called for volunteers to help clean up the winter debris and start preparing the vegetable beds to grow food for the Sky Valley Food Bank. The response for the Saturday work party was great and included a wide range of community members: employees from the Lowe’s store in Monroe, members from Monroe Garden Club, neighborhood families, a young man from Cocoon House, Boys and Girls Club staff, volunteer Master Gardeners and non-gardeners alike.
On that day, no one cared about economic level, age, politics or religion. The common theme was that we all wanted to help our community, and as the day progressed, new relationships emerged and old friendships reconnected. At one point a Lowe’s volunteer exclaimed, “This is so fun!”
Communities are filled with opportunities to work together, and it costs nothing. Whether you pick up a hammer for Housing Hope or dig dirt for a community garden, the benefit to the community and your feelings of good will are priceless.
Martha W. Dankers
Monroe
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
