What are you doing to make America great again ?
By Mary Gardner-Ruch, pictured with other “Bump the Dump” activists in 1990
On April 5th, Allegany County will celebrate 35 years since the “Dump Fight” with an event hosted by the CCAC at the Belmont Free Library at 2 Willets Avenue in Belmont. Allegany County has a history of activism and volunteerism.
I wanted to see what my Facebook friends were doing to make America great again. I posted the question, and the answers have given me hope. They were worth sharing. The following is a list of the answers that I received:
- . helping with a community garden
- . donating to local food pantries
- . composting
- . recycling and reducing the use of plastic
- . growing a garden and sharing the food
- . hosting a blessing box with shelf-stable food and hygiene products
- . shopping at Farmers Markets, farm stands
- . participating in roadside cleanups
- . volunteering
- . volunteering at Thrift stores and shopping at them.. Many use the money raised for charity
- . working in a career that helps others, including but not limited to counselors, therapists, social workers, and elder care professionals
- . raising children to be moral and kind
- . protesting and boycotting
- . supporting the Hart House, Doctors Without Borders, World Central Kitchen, Beloved Asheville, Catholic Charities, and other charity organizations
- . donating to local causes
- . fostering dogs and cats, donating to animal shelters
- . young people running for local positions
One of my heroes, Jane Goodall, turned 91 on April 3rd. She said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make”. You are never too young to make a difference. Malala Yousafzai was shot on her way to school by a Taliban gunman but survived to become a passionate advocate for women’s right to education. 19-year-old Greta Thunberg inspires those who want to make a difference in climate change. Jaylen Arnold is another example of a young person who made a difference by advocating for bullying prevention.
Many elders are making a positive impact by contributing to society through activism, mentorship, staying active, and defying age-related stereotypes. Iris Apfel is a 98-year-old who has worked in fashion and as an interior decorator at the White House. She continues to inspire with her fashion and modeling. Our local, Ron Wightman, in his 70s, has won numerous medals in the Olympics and all over the States and the World for his participation in Triathlons and Marathons. He has broken the age stereotype and inspires all to stay healthy and active.
There is so much uncertainty in our country right now, and the lack of control can make us feel hopeless. We can regain hope by making a difference in our communities and lives. How will we help when programs that have served our vulnerable populations are cut? As the wise and intelligent Jane Goodall said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make”.
