David and sons ring the bell for the Salvation Army
Service matters to the served…
As the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday approaches, I am inspired by the personal way his statement has impacted my life.
My wife, my 2-year old, and my dog were evacuated just ahead of a massive fire in Southern California in 2003. Also evacuated were 80 students of a boarding school I was leading, 60 staff, their spouses, their children, and their pets. Each of us had a pillow, and a change of clothes, maybe a few pictures, but not much more. The Salvation Army was there from the very beginning with three “hots and a cot” in a warehouse. When it became clear we were not going home right away, the Salvation Army put all 300 of us up at their very nice camp in Malibu – walking distance from the beach, laundry facilities, a pool, and actual beds!
The fires threatened our town for 10 days, but we never seemed to wear out our welcome with the folks of the Salvation Army, who were always there with a cup of coffee and a smile. When the smoke cleared and we were allowed back up the mountain, thousands of homes had burned, but not one of our group lost their home, and the school was safe.
In my life before the fire, I had never needed help like that and I was touched by their service to me. When I was homeless and scared, they gathered me, my family and friends under their wings and fed us. Being on the receiving end of such giving has always reminded me that we need to help each other, and that small help and big help are both acts of greatness. The grace we were granted by the Salvation Army cannot be repaid, but their example to me can be paid forward to others.
Service matters to the server!
As a leader at Cherokee Creek Boys School, I am able to “pay it forward” by involving our students in service projects in our small community. In fact, learning to give is a core teaching at our school. Recently, several Cherokee Creek Boys School students sold hot dogs in front of the Seneca, SC Tractor Supply Co. store. Their sale provided the local Humane Society with 225 lbs. of pet food, two large dog houses, 26 pounds of cat litter, and many leashes, collars, brushes and treats. These middle school guys love to help the Humane Society, and we go regularly on weekends and help care for the animals.
Cherokee Creek students and staff raising funds for the Oconee Humane Society
After the hot dog sale, one of the students said, “I feel cool about myself when I help the animals.” Excitedly, another student said, “I like being a hero to the animals!” The truth is when we give to others we are practicing greatness. When we extend grace and love to others, it also fills our hearts. Author of Peter Pan, James M. Barrie said, “Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves”.
The “hands on” experience of helping at the Humane Society brings the boys tremendous satisfaction, peace and a joy that is not always a part of childhood these days. When we extend grace and love to others, it also fills our hearts.
Service matters to the served and to the server. And “Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve.” The challenge for us is to go out and be great. Let your heart be filled with the joy that comes from giving!
David LePere is the executive director of Cherokee Creek Boys School, a therapeutic boarding school for middle-school boys, ages 11-15 in Westminster, SC.
