One person can make a difference!

Yesterday was Mother's Day, we had gone out to eat and returned home for coffee and cake when my mother shared a story with the family that has stayed with me all day today. Mom serves as an usher/greeter, on a rotating basis at her church " The Church of the Cross " on Daniels Rd.. The church itself has a long history of reaching out to the community to help those in need, as well as a long list of members of their congregation who are active in many of our communities charitable organizations. Yesterday, as she was standing at the door welcoming people to the 10:00 service Mom noticed 2 passenger vans of men pull up to the front entry. They were well dressed and friendly, but unfamiliar to her, and she wondered where they all came from.

The service started with the usual songs and prayers, then before the Minister began his sermon he called one of the men from the group that arrived in the vans to come forward. He came to the front, and told the congregation he and his friends were from " Teen Challenge " and they had come to honor and express their gratitude to Dorothy Thomas ( no relation to myself ). Dorothy has, for some time, been relaying the needs of Teen Challenge to the church, bringing food items to the group, collecting and delivering clothing donations, and even went so far this year as to supply Mother's Day cards for those in the program to send to their own mothers. The group wanted to thank her publicly and present her with a certificate of appreciation.

As I heard this story I was struck by how much it must have meant to Dorothy to have these men want to take of their time and resources to come and show their appreciation for her. However, from the time I woke up this morning I haven't been able to stop thinking about how much Dorothy must have meant to Teen Challenge. I'm sure there are a number of people who have given of their time, and provided food or clothes to the group, but Dorothy has done so consistently and joyfully, and has made a real difference at Teen Challenge, in these men, and in her community!

For over a year now I have been hearing stories of how many Ft Myers charities resources are being spread too thin, and that there has never been a greater need locally for everyone to pitch in and help. Perhaps we could all learn something from Dorothy, find a group that can use what we have to offer, give of ourselves regularly and happily, and bring a true sense of community to Lee County.