What the world needs now
I want you to know it was a struggle getting civic and educational groups to give me their wish lists so that I could let you know their needs. They surely don't want to keep that information a secret, but they were not very forthcoming. I finally pounded together a story about some of them and what they need to help the people they serve. It is printed elsewhere in this edition of the paper.
Oddly enough one of the biggest needs neither money nor "stuff." It turns out volunteers are a big request on many a wish list. This isn't the first time I have heard this lament. Not too long ago I was involved in a discussion with a couple of city councilmen and they were wondering who would run for office next spring when several terms are up. One of them said city government is just like getting people to serve on committees at the church he attends — no one wants to do it.
If the requests I received are any indication, most local groups are probably feeling the pinch caused by too few people doing too much of the work.
Peabody Main Street and Peabody Historical Society need volunteers for a number of committees. These are organizations on which we rely to promote our not only our heritage, but our present day businesses and our community as well. There is no guarantee either will be successful, but without volunteers each will fold and no one will take on the task of promoting Peabody. Almost any expert in the economic development field WILL guarantee that if we aren't promoting our community, no one else will do it and it will eventually wither away.
Two grade school teachers with an unusually large class would like volunteers to come to the elementary school on a regular basis to just listen to students read or to cut out letters or figures for a bulletin board. How tough could that be? We've all heard about the problems facing our educational system. Here are solutions that are easy enough
The senior center, the July Fourth Celebration Society, the Cub Scouts, and, yes, your church and city government, all could use your help. By all means write a check to your favorite local charity, but think about donating a bit of yourself in the coming year as well. Look over the list of groups that want you. Pick one and make a difference.
You'll be glad you did.
— SUSAN MARSHALL
