This year's Citizen of the Year for Humboldt and area - Gwen Saret - is a pretty impressive lady. And the work that she has done, I think, demonstrates how doing a bit at a time, consistently, can make a huge difference in a community over time.
I hate to compare Gwen to a turtle - she resembles one in no way - yet her story brings to mind that fable about the turtle and the hare. Slow and steady wins the race.
Gwen's not racing anywhere anymore than anyone is, but in her life, she's done what she could, where she could and the result is that she has made a big impact on the community she calls home. That could be called winning the race.
The same thing could be said, actually, of all those nominated for Citizen of the Year this year. All do what they can, when they can, and that's why they all were deserving of the title. Unfortunately, just one of the worthy candidates could be named Citizen of the Year, though I understand it was suggested that the award be changed to Citizens of the Year, because of the difficulty in deciding between the nominees.
Every single one of the other nominees - Darcy Leonew, Judy Plag, James Folster, Jodi Smith and Michelle Bankowski - is doing what Saret has, and giving back where they can. None of them have set out on a campaign to be named Citizen of the Year; that didn't factor into their decision to do what they have done. Each has simply seen a need and thought, "I can do something to fill that need." And they've rolled up their sleeves and done so.
I think that's what we all need to keep in mind when we think of volunteer work. Sometimes, when your life seems out of control and it's all you can do to keep juggling the things you have to keep up in the air, volunteering for something seems like a monumental task. That's when it's best to start small. Offer to do one thing, one time. And slowly, the list of what you've done will grow.
You don't have to do everything at once, is the point I'm trying to make, albeit longwindedly.
And you don't even have to do everything.
If you have time for just one thing, then do that one thing.
That's your part.
Do your part. Do what you're good at; what you love. Even if it's just one thing.
If we do that, imagine the things we could do together, as a community.
Imagine what could get done.
Because many hands, they say, make light work.
Let's make our work lighter.
Volunteer, even just for one thing.
It will make the world a better place.
