Giving = Healing

“You’ve heard about the Amish community in Nickel Mines, PA, because that’s where a gunman attacked a school and killed five girls and injured five more before taking his own life a year ago today. That same community is making a donation to the killer’s widow, who has three children.

A statement about this nearly inexplicable move said:

‘Many from Nickel Mines have pointed out that forgiveness is a journey, that you need help from your community of faith and from God ... to make and hold on to a decision not to become a hostage to hostility.’

That’s an extreme example, but it shows us what giving can mean. It connects givers to something deeper, stronger, and better than they might be otherwise. It can heal people and communities. Imagine what kind of world we’d live in of more people gave -- and gave the way Nickel Mines is giving.

So please: Don’t talk about fundraising as a necessary evil. It’s a necessary blessing.”

— Oct. 3 “Amish Community Demonstrates the Power of Charity,” Jeff Brooks’ Donor Power Blog (www.donorpowerblog.com)