Do Your Part to Help Make Your Community Better
By C. Ron Allen
Just two days ago, we observed Memorial Day. And as I have opined in this column over the years, I cringe when I see people holding picnics in the park or huge backyard barbecues and even making special trips to the shopping mall on this day.
While it is the unofficial kick-off to the summer, this is not the day to head to the ball field. Instead, the day is set aside to honor those servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can eat, play and shop.
I also noticed that fewer people wished me a Happy Memorial Day than previous years. Instead, many said either, “Thanks for your service” or something to show they understood the true meaning of the day.
By the way, did you remember to pause at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day for a minute of silent honor to remember those who have died in service to our nation? In 2000, Congress established The National Moment of Remembrance Act, as an added way of honoring those who died in service to the United States. Americans were asked to stop for one minute at 3 p.m. because it’s likely when Americans are most enjoying the freedom made possible by those who died in service of their country. If you were among those who forgot, please try to do so next year.
Until then, have you considered doing your part to help make your community better? Just like those Sailors, soldiers, airmen and marines were making a contribution when their lives were cut short you can make a contribution – no matter how small.
You can volunteer at one of the many local nonprofit organizations or schools. There are countless youth waiting for a mentor or someone to read a book to them. If your schedule is as hectic as mine, it may be more convenient for you to write a check to help defray the monthly expenses.
Whatever you can do, just do your part.
One group of local residents is doing their part to help bring medical care to the needy in their homeland of Haiti.
Under the leadership of President Nicole A. Quince, Hope Center of Medicine held its third annual cultural affair recently to celebrate the Haitian culture and raise money to build a medical center in Cabaret, a community of about 100,000 residents. The need became greater after the earthquake destroyed the island in 2010, Quince said.
I attended the gala event at the South County Civic Center and I had a remarkable time. The event featured guided presentation of authentic Haitian food, Haitian paintings and artifacts, dancing and live music from several artists and talents from Haiti and the United States.
The audience also was educated on the historical contributions that several Haitians made world-wide. For example, I learned about Dr. Rose-Marie Toussaint, the first Haitian American female surgeon to perform a heart transplant. She is one of a few female surgeons who specializes in liver and kidney transplants. I also learned that the president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America, Reginald Fils-Aime is Haitian American. He was the first chosen by Nintendo management to lead the company.
Perhaps one of the highlight for me was meeting Elcy Moreau Andre, the first Haitian teacher hired by the School District of Palm Beach County in 1985 for non-English-speaking students at Lake Worth High.
President Quince and her team have set a goal of raising $1 million by Dec. 31 to build the medical center.
They want to make it so easy that no one can refuse to give – not even a child.
She is optimistic that if each person, after making his or her donation, will share the message through social media, they will reach the mark.
“I don’t think anybody cannot participate because they can’t afford $1,” she said. “We don’t want to restrain you from giving more if you can.”
Their grassroots campaign includes local churches and Facebook.
For more information or to donate, call 800-618-5020 or email hopecenterofmedince@gmail.com or write Hope Center of Medicine,
- O. Box 17007, West Palm Beach, FL 33416.
