On September 29th, Vantage Career Center will be getting very involved in the Day of Caring here in Van Wert county. In fact, Vantage has been so involved in that day, that it has been renamed The United Way Vantage Day of Caring". For 25 years, the United Way has run one of the biggest food drives of the year, the Vantage Day of Caring. This is a local food drive that the area schools and businesses support. Many local schools will be accepting donations until Thursday, September 28 and classes frequently compete to bring in the most donations. There will be food barrels all around town and the public is encouraged to fill them. This weekend, Walmart and Chiefs will have trucks by their entrances from 10 am - 4 pm. You will see many of our Vantage students there helping out. This is a great time to volunteer, help where needed,or donate items to this cause.
So why am I mentioning this when in my earlier blogs I spoke about using the book written by Gregg Levoy, "Callings". Well, if you remember, I want to challenge you to think about the quotes I give you and see how they can apply to your life. Are you following your calling? Is an event calling us to do something that may change us or open our hearts to something we never thought about. I believe the Vantage Day of Caring is just the type of volunteer opportunity that may change you. The quote I am using today is:
"If we wait to tend to suffering until we've dealt with our own, we'll never get around to wiping away so much as a single teardrop of anyone else's."
I've heard so many people say things like, "I really don't know what to say to them, I have never lost a parent". Or, "I'm not sure I can talk to them about suicide, I just don't understand why someone would contemplate that". I believe the quote is stating that we don't have to go through what that person is experiencing in order to comfort them. We don't have to lose a parent to put our arm around someone that did. We don't have to be afraid of telling a friend you are there for them if they are contemplating suicide. We also don't have to be homeless or living without food in order to help those that are. The Vantage Day of Caring is a great way to help those who are in need. You will be helping people that you don't even know and feeding starving children that you will never meet. When you volunteer or donate to this cause, I promise you, you will be blessed more than those that receive. You will see how many people in this community really care about others and how many people want to help others. Don't always watch the news, it can get depressing. Volunteer and you will see how much good there really is in this world, especially our community. Don't be afraid to do something you have never done before, just help now and watch yourself grow.
