One of my dad’s favorite stories to tell about his grandkids
comes from when my middle son, Jeremiah, was about 4 or 5 years old. My wife
and I were at work and he was on “Grandpa Duty”. The Men’s Group from church
was helping with some repairs at a local convalescent home. He signed himself
and my son up to paint the banisters outside. As he described for him the work
they would be doing, he asked Jeremiah if he understood why they were doing
this. My son simply responded, “Because they need our help?”
When I heard this I was instantly filled with pride. This
told me that my son was beginning to understand his place in the world, and
that he didn’t really need a reason to help someone. He is 11 years old now,
and while he may not be as sweet or innocent as he was back then, he is still a
pretty good kid. He reflects the values that I hold important and I can tell
that he is following my example.
- We will be collecting toys and blankets for the Sheriff’s Dept. to keep in their trunks as an emergency “care package” when an incident arises involving children.
- We are in the process of collecting toys, books, clothing, toiletries, and common household items for a local battered women’s shelter. For obvious security reasons then exact “who” and “where” are kept quiet, but that doesn’t change the fact that help is needed.
- We have been able to assist in adding much needed transportation services for the community of Menifee at McCall Blvd & Packard St. in collaboration with the Riverside Transit Agency – Dial-A-Ride Program.
- We are collecting pull tabs from beverage cans to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Loma Linda.
- We are collecting eyeglasses for California Friends in Sight to benefit those in need of prescription eyewear through vision and eye exams at no cost to the recipient.
