The county that keeps on giving
Warren County’s reputation for generosity when it comes to worthy causes is well known, and well-deserved. A good example is the $90,000 raised for cancer research during the county’s second Relay for Life fundraiser this weekend. The $72,000 raised last year seemed to be a phenomenal amount for a county in the throes of an economic slow-down due to a series of plant closures and resulting job losses.
But even with all the bad news, Warren countians ignored their own economic fears and went on to pony up almost 30 percent more for this year’s event.
And event organizers talked about how, as they went from business to business asking for items to auction off at the fundraiser, not a single one turned them down, an admirable percentage.
Kind of hard to beat 100 percent participation.
Why is this? Certainly cancer touches many lives and any effort to help eradicate this dreaded disease will receive major support, but this isn’t the only cause where Warren County’s citizens respond with an open wallet, though it’s another great example of their giving nature.
People here turn out again and again in support of any number of worthy causes. They raise money to help organizations and individuals alike. In addition, our county government provides substantial financial assistance to a long list of non-profit organizations with their constituents approval.
And not only do our citizens donate their cash, they also contribute their time and, on many occasions, a considerable amount of elbow grease. It’s not unusual to see local businessmen and women, craftsmen, legislators and young people lending a hand to build the newest Habitat for Humanity home, working to renovate the Park Theater or any number of other community projects. If these organizations were to pay some of these laborers what they normally make for an hour of their time the expense would probably raise some eyebrows. But instead, these worthy causes get the benefit of the skills and knowledge these people can offer free of charge. Hour after hour.
And though it may not seem like much, Warren County citizens aren’t afraid to open themselves up to some pretty humiliating situations in the name of a good cause. Take, for instance, the participants in the Relay for Life “Not So” Beauty Contest. One has to applaud the good-natured way a group of men, who would never think of making such a spectacle of themselves normally, will garb themselves in the most outlandish costumes imaginable if it’s all in the name of a good cause. They have to know they are going to take a ribbing, but if it helps fund cancer research, they do it willingly.
And though most people, including themselves, reported they weren’t much to look at, they still deserve our praise. After all, these guys not only gave of their time, they also donated a good bit of their dignity to the cause, and it’s pretty hard to put a price on dignity.
Add to those guys all those who stayed the night and worked the booths, cooked the food, manned the games and opened their hearts and gave of their time to support a great cause.
But, of course, that kind of selflessness is not that unusual for the people of Warren County. And what a good thing that is for all of us. And what a good thing it is to know that $90,000 of our hard-earned dollars will make a difference in someone’s life someday.
And, in more ways than one, maybe even our own.