Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears;
Nothing like stealing a line from Shakespeare to get your attention, huh?
I am hearing from former coworkers, friends, job seekers, and social connections over the last two weeks. Many are expressing restlessness, eager to use this moment of unrest to take action, do something, give back and help out. They feel that itch they just can’t scratch and they know that helping others is the best medicine for the Soul.
Many see this time as a short window of opportunity to affect lasting impact and to extol the virtues of raising their voice for the greater good. They know that eventually the attention fades, the momentum shifts, complacency kicks in, new headlines replace the old ones, people forget. We live in attention deficit-driven, oftentimes, me first society and it is not uncommon to feel helpless when you are trying to be helpful.
But we can’t forget, can’t stop moving forward, can’t take our foot off the gas. It’s time to move the needle! We need to remember the words, “I CAN’T BREATH.” We need to get it RIGHT & do it NOW.
We gotta go and never stop going 'till we get there.' 'Where we going, man?' 'I don't know but we gotta go.” ― Jack Kerouac, On the Road
DOING NOTHING IS EASY, TAKING ACTION IS HARD.
It’s interesting to observe and listen to people during times of crisis. Everyone reacts differently on their level of engagement. If you’re struggling to get traction on where to start, how to help, afraid of what others think, pay them no mind. “Anybody who ever built an empire, or changed the world, sat where you are now.”
I have decided to share with you specific fundraising efforts to assist communities that have been absolutely decimated by Covid and the fires in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Please consider a donation in any amount to one of the following efforts:
Rebuild Lake Street: https://www.welovelakestreet.com/
Midtown Global Market Mend: https://www.gofundme.com/f/midtown-global-market
WBC in partnership with Northside Funders Group: https://giving.onecause.com/public/02ad4737-2285-4ad2-91c6-95cd66b423bf/fundraisers/c60e5030-69ce-4853-8b11-4727da5054ad/donate
Dig Deep and Make a Difference!
- Michael
