Thank goodness for thankfulness in a thankless society. Yet gratitude lives in a grateful community graciously alive served by this newsprint. The front page of this paper (Free Lance, Aug. 7) features volunteers and names them “Heroes.”
Gratitude is unique. Usually office holders need to be cajoled and begged to serve and are subsequently taken for granted. Yet our many office holders are those who love their community. They become immune to ingratitude.
Some time ago a grateful Community Foundation leader, Gary Byrne, organized a wide, encompassing, community event with the sole purpose of thanking community volunteers. Every club and organization in the community sponsored office holders to be duly acknowledged and thanked.
Thank you, Latino Coalition, for keeping alive this deeply held quality of gratitude.
Local organizations have built our community. This group reminds me of many more: mothers’ school clubs, parent clubs, scout clubs, society clubs, organization clubs, hobby clubs, outdoor clubs, hospital clubs and church clubs.
These all exist as the opposite of “recall” groups. Community groups serve our community.
Recall groups dis-serve our community. Recall groups un-do service and commitment. Recall groups un-make a community. Recall becomes the opposite of gratitude and service.
However, they cement the unlimited value of our dear, special and unique community service groups exemplified in the Latino community preserving and remembering the original visionary luncheon of Gary Byrne.
Mary Zanger
Hollister
