Wayland to Waveland

Folks,

I wanted to give everyone an update on the coin drive…….We delivered eight buckets of change to Middlesex Bank, who will have totals for us next week. Between Starbucks, Whole Foods and the Landfill, we received over $1000 in bills and checks that we counted and deposited separately.……But, just as important as these monetary donations were the mood and spirit of the participants on Saturday. So, if you’ll indulge me some philosophical reflection, I’d like to share my day at the coin drive.

I was reminded once again of the number of things in my own life that I take for granted….as we positioned ourselves amongst our neighbors performing their “normal” routine……going to the dump; grocery shopping; getting coffee…..to raise money for a community 1500 miles away that yearns such normalcy.

These past weeks as we have debated the merits of various fundraisers…….will the totals raised be worth the effort; are we asking the same people too often; are people getting tired of hearing about us; what is the best use of our time????……my experience at the landfill this Saturday reminded me of one of the most rewarding aspects of working on this project - and that is providing others with the opportunity to do something to help.

There were a number of people that were so proud to participate and donate their coins. It was a privilege to share their experience as they dropped their donations into the buckets…… a young family that had their toddler drop in the coins a few at a time; the kids who jumped out of their cars with their box or baggie filled with change; and the mom who dumped the contents from the bottom of her purse….. When they thanked me for my efforts, I felt their pride when I expressed my thanks for their support.

We have always said that we are just the conduit, and it was exciting to watch people realize that their role as a “coin contributor” was important. It was more than just contributing “a handful of change.” Just as I experienced in Mississippi, when one of the workers “got it” and realized the significance of their contribution, I witnessed this same epiphany amongst my neighbors on Saturday reaffirming the power of what we have been about all along.

I also had the privilege to be a part of one young man’s opportunity to participate. This young man and his father pulled up at the landfill and the dad began his weekly chore of sorting his trash. He nodded to his son, who had a big smile on his face, as if to excuse him from the task. The son, disabled by cerebral palsey or some other degenerative muscular disease, slowly emerged from the car. He gathered several bags of change, a Tupperware container filled to the brim with quarters, and several rolls of coins and shuffled over to the orange buckets where he slowly untied the bags and carefully deposited the money. I reached over to help, but it was clear he wanted to do this himself.

With a hop in his shuffle, he returned to the car, and proudly showed his dad the two bracelets he had earned. It was clear from his excited utterances, that he was thrilled. While signing to his son, the father explained that they had been following our story in the paper and then thanked me for giving his son the chance to participate.

For me, standing out in the wind and cold for nine hours, right next to the compactor, was made worthwhile by this encounter. Even if this had been the only money we had raised, the day would have been worth it. And I thank Wayland to Waveland and Mission to Mississippi for the privilege of experiencing this encounter.

I was also struck by everyone’s enthusiasm and desire to talk with me about the project. I had the chance to share with my neighbors more details of the project; the response of the families we helped; the gratitude of the citizens of Waveland and even speculate on our “next” project. Many hoped to join us in the future, aware that they had missed a special opportunity this past fall.

Everyone seemed eager to express their excitement over what had been accomplished……Most everyone had read about our progress in the paper and the mood was celebratory as we congratulated each other on the building project (especially at Whole Foods where they were hosting a Super Bowl tailgate complete with steak tips, sausage, Cajun shrimp and CRAB LEGS…..we couldn’t have scripted it any better!). Some seemed embarrassed at their small contribution until I reminded them that it all adds up

A few cantankerous folks muttered that they had already given and hadn’t we asked enough, so I switched to a very soft sell and wished them good day.

It was also exciting to renew the bond with the special group of people who have traveled to Mississippi to participate in the project directly, both volunteers and workers. And, it was also nice to be able to thank families that had supported our Mission by taking care of everything at home while their loved ones traveled.

We have all had our experiences and “AH HA” moments during this project……I didn’t realize how powerful my day at the coin drive was going to be.

Thanks all! Kathie

Filed under: Fundraising, Mission to Mississippi - 2007/2008, Wayland, MA