Community

On Friday, our community raised almost $100,000 for non-fiction books to be distributed throughout our school system.

On May 6, our community will decide, through their votes, if they'd like to see new construction and major renovations to our district as well as technology and athletic upgrades. They've shown before that they are supporters of the right bond; I certainly hope that's the case again.

That's incredible money. It takes thousands (in terms of the voting) to make major change for a school district. For The Shindig, the name given to the casual fundraiser, over seven hundred individuals showed up to eat, drink, and be merry--all in the name of new books for our kids.

And, me, I get to live in this community. I feel proud to pay these taxes and raise my kids in a place where they are embraced and supported by the individuals and companies in them.

It's not easy being a child. So many changes--in emotions, in appearances, in relationships, in academics--that a child goes goes through during his/her course via the school system. To be supported by the entire community is such a major help while traveling down an often rocky, always adventurous, road. When we put our kids in the center of a community-wide embrace, we are giving them a far-reaching foundation, one we hope can last a lifetime--or at least until they are ready to embrace their own community's children.

But not every community does this. Why?

Because it doesn't have the visionaries focused on helping others, the few at the center of an event who can rally the masses. Sometimes, visionaries just look out for themselves--doing anything they can to make money or elevate themselves within the community. The few at the center of both of these events--The Shindig and the 2014 Bond Proposal--wouldn't want to call themselves visionaries. They would quickly deflect the title and share it with the masses (and, don't get me wrong, the masses are essential; they have to show up), but it is the few with the motivation and know-how who start the process of greater change in our schools.

Visionaries see things differently than they are and then put in the work, including connecting with a community of people who will help spread the vision, to make it come true.

Here in Spring Lake, we're lucky; our visionaries are looking out for our kids, embracing them every chance they get.