CARTER: Bound for the Bayou

While most of my colleagues over at Quincy University are departing to all points for a relaxing, lazy spring break next week, 54 people, including me, are taking the harder option. We are bound for New Orleans and the surrounding area to volunteer for charitable organizations.

Carter

This will be my fourth trip to the Big Easy. Twice I have gone for fun, and twice now for work. To be honest, I like the work trips better. Giving up your time to put in a hard day’s work to help someone else in need is a rewarding experience. I recommend a trip like this to everyone!

The idea of helping others goes back to time immemorial. Charitable service and volunteering have existed for the better part of 5,000 years. No matter where you are, there is always some organization or some group of people who need you to act on their behalf.

I am afraid there are no seats left in my van to bring anyone else on this trip, but there are so many opportunities here locally, I challenge all of my readers to reach out and take action. Work for one day, just one day, at any charitable function here in the Quincy area and you will understand what I mean.

Every church parish in Quincy sponsors at least one charitable program. So do many of the schools, every college, the Salvation Army, and most if not all of the fraternal organizations.

As a rule, people are the most charitable during the holidays, but the problems of poverty, homelessness and so on do not go away after New Year’s Day, and right about now, when the holiday season is comfortably behind, millions of Americans turn a blind eye to the needs of others.

Next week, I challenge you to contact your church or any other charitable organization and ask what help they need. Take that first step, and here’s my incentive: When I get back here in a week or so, I will take you on a music and food tour of New Orleans that features the most exclusive places to go for the best food and music without bumping into all the other tourists.

Anyone can write a check for a donation or drop change in the buckets at Christmas, but not just anybody lifts their hands to help other people. It takes courage and conviction to give up your own time and help someone else. Do you have it?

— Gregory Carter