Do Something

From Saturday's Ashland Times-Gazette

They’re familiar words: “Do something!” A father and son were walking across London Bridge when they saw a number of homeless men huddled in the shadow of that massive span. The order was uttered by William Booth, evangelical preacher turned Salvation Army general, to his son, Bramwell, and their ensuing actions transformed an itinerant preaching ministry into one of the largest faith-based social service providers in the world.

Do something.org is one of the largest “orgs” for young people and social change, and boasts of 2.8 million members who tackle campaigns that impact every cause, from poverty to violence to the environment to literally everything else. “Any cause, anytime, anywhere” is their motto. They’ve got some intriguing examples on their website, including sharing tactics on overcoming bullying and taking down sexism on a football team with one word and ten push-ups. I really like their mission and message, and the great opportunities for teens and young adults to get involved, but I was a bit offended by their membership criteria: “Our members are ages thirteen to twenty-five. Older than that equals old people.” Just wait ‘til they turn thirty.  

“Do Something” is also the theme for an October 27^th rally hosted by Catholic Charities in Mansfield. Author Robert Lupton, (Toxic Charity) will take a critical look at traditional charity models, believing that “if you do something for someone that they can do for themselves, you disempower them.” Should be a fascinating presentation and discussion.

“Do Something.” This oft-repeated phrase will be heard frequently throughout Ashland County over the next few months, and Ev DeVaul and his friends at the United Way of Ashland County are hoping you’ll get so tired of hearing those two words that you’ll step up and do something by supporting their annual fund-raising campaign. The campaign pacesetters “did something” for sure, as they pledged more than half a million dollars, officially kicking off the campaign with a commitment of 47% of the ambitious goal. 

So what, exactly, can we do? The most obvious answer in the United Way campaign is to give money. The reality in the world we live in is that while volunteer hours and creative planning can be quite helpful, money is needed to purchase food for a food pantry, hire qualified staff for the counseling office, and pump fuel into the gas tank of a cancer patient’s automobile.

The United Way will gladly take a no-strings-attached cash donation, but their energetic volunteers also give us opportunities to enjoy our giving. We can do our Christmas shopping at the annual Holiday Happenings on December 4, have breakfast with Santa at Jakes on December 6, or try out the tango or foxtrot at the Harvest Moon Dance with the Kroc Center Big Band on October 11 by the light of the silvery moon.

What else can we do? Diane Winston, who holds the Knight chair in Media and Religion at USC’s Annenberg School, offered another slant on the question as she wrote in the Los Angeles Times: “It’s well and good for individual Americans to volunteer at food banks, staff relief programs and drop coins in kettles at Christmastime. But as [William] Booth understood, these actions need to be accompanied by systemic change, or what he called social salvation. In today’s world that means ensuring that social services provide high-quality public education, affordable housing and healthcare, reliable public transportation and assistance for veterans, families in need and the chronically unemployed.” A tall order, but it’s essential if we are truly going to “do something” to effect long-term change.

Systemic change may be beyond our reach as individuals, and our financial resources may not allow us to make a large gift, but “doing something” is possible for all of us, from school children to the “over twenty-five” old people. Even one dollar per pay period adds up, while our gifts of time and talent can strengthen the United Way campaign, provide volunteer hours at a community agency or church, or support a friend or neighbor in need. It’s not rocket science, Ashland. As the United Way campaign poster encourages us: “Give blessings, give help, give hope.” Don’t just sit there – Do Something!