I had the fortune of attending a luncheon yesterday honoring Dallas Cowboys superstar Jason Witten and his wife Michelle. The event was to the benefit of Austin Street Centre. I enjoyed the luncheon. I got to shake Jason’s hand and realized how small I actually am compared to football players. The Witten’s seem like a class act. I truly enjoy when people that have been blessed at their level (financially, talent wise, etc) decide to give back to others who aren’t as fortunate.
I also enjoyed hearing about the work of Austin Street Centre. I have heard about them for years through my church, but haven’t really paid much attention to their mission (I am embarrassed to say.) Here is their mission from their website: The Centre’s primary purpose for existence is to offer emergency shelter and related services to the homeless person in a compassionate Christian community, so that the person in need might be better able to make responsible choices and changes in their lives. The Centre has a particular ministry of caring for those who suffer from various physical and mental disabilities, unable to care for themselves, with few or no available alternatives. This includes 24-hour shelter care for those persons recovering from serious illness or injury.
We get so caught up in ourselves, that we forget their are those who are really in need. In many of these cases, they don’t have an alternative. It’s not like people choose to live in a shelter. It’s not like people choose to live on the street. I bet you didn’t know that 25% of the people in the shelter have a full time job. Many of these individuals are escaping abusive relationships or are suffering from mental illness. Many just flat out don’t have any other options.
Think about your local community and find a charity that helps others. Actually, that is almost an oxymoron since most, if not all, charitable organizations help others. Think about something dear to your heart: homeless children, abused spouses and children, people who have lost loved ones or jobs, people suffering from unbearable illness or disease. Your community has a charitable organization to help these individuals. Now, pick up the phone and call them to see if you can help them. I bet you can.
Thanks Austin Street Shelter. Thanks Jason and Michelle Witten. Thanks to the greater charitable community as a whole.
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 0 comments… add one now }