My wife and I live in a rather small town. Around 5500 residents and about another 2 to 3 thousand on the outskirts.
We have a very good hospital here, considering the size of the county and residents.
My wife is a nurse and now is the office mgr. of the home health dept.
It seems that there is no end to the several things the hospital is involved in that call for volunteers. Needless to say, that I am asked to do things, even if I didn't volunteer. smile
Well we went to the annual "festival of trees". This is where people will obtain a christmas tree and decorate it, give it to the festival and it is put up for auction.
They also have quilts and other items where you buy some tickets and may win one of these items.
People are invited and there are several different types of food and wine and they are free. Although most people will donate.
There are doctors, nurses, office staff, all segments of the population and lots of children there with their families.
The trees are bought at auction and go from 200 to 800 dollars each, as they are bought mostly by businesses or wealthy people and some not so wealthy. This is then donated to the hospital foundation that uses this money to purchase new machines etc. for the hospital.
There are always some who donate their time to entertain the participants. Small bands or comics etc.
The city donates the convention center for free. It is people working together to truly help others.
This is real charity with no pressures or looking down on those who have less to donate than others.
One example that always almost brings tears to my eyes is ( IVAN ). He has been severly mentally and physically challenged since birth. He puts around town on his three wheel bicycle.
His mother first, then his father have passed away. He always knows about any goings on in town that may have food. Several of them need tickets purchased to enter. He is never denied entry even though he never has the money.
He was with us tonight. Several people checked on his well being. The people of this little town have taken up the responsibility of looking after Ivan.
He can wander into the city offices and the mayors office and he is accepted and watched over. He can wander into the police/sheriffs office and he is welcome treated kindly and then told when he has to leave.
At times he needs chastizing and it is done. Just as one of us would do for our children.
Compare this life to that of jehovah's witnesses. Which one has true love and kindness. Which one really reaches out to the poor and helpless.
While this little town has its problems just like many others, there is at least an effort to help the orphans widows and poor.
While I do not agree with everything the town does, I am proud to be here. I never was proud of the wbts and their organization. I will choose these worldly people over the jw's every time.
Just my experience and I thought you may like to see a little town in operation.
Outoftheorg