Early investments

I grew up volunteering so much that I didn’t even know how to act when I got my pay check for my first “real” job.

We know it takes money to buy things and things tend to be very expensive. The one thing we can’t buy is our time back or more of it, so when people freely give their time to volunteer for community efforts in return for nothing other than a thriving future for the community – it’s a major investment and always should be treated as such. If you really think about it – there’s no investment as major as giving time for a worthwhile cause.

In the “real world,” it’s not always feasible to write a check, especially with all the fundraisers and causes circulating in our region; however, we can always find some way to invest. Your investment could come in the form of time, resources, services, prayers, kind thoughts and words, picking up a piece of trash on the sidewalk, tidying up the yard, porch or storefront, and being overall considerate of one another and any visitor that may travel through Early County.

This includes the pride we have in the overall presentation of our community, which I consider a direct reflection of ourselves. Whether we recognize it or not – everyone possesses a talent or skill that can be utilized for the greater good of the community. It’s just finding those who are willing to invest. Hopefully this has you thinking: “How can I appropriately utilize my skills to invest in Early County?” It’s fun. When least expected an avenue or connection can present itself to tap into that skill.

For example this past Thursday evening, a group of volunteers in Blakely joined together to celebrate Nick Lee – who has one of the biggest hearts in Blakely that I’ve yet to meet. In a world filled with so much negativity, it was refreshing to witness the people coming together to honor someone who means so much to them. Seeing Nick’s eyes light up as the proclamation from the Mayor declaring March 6 as “Nick Lee Day” was read, along with the rolling out of his brand new bicycle and portrait drawn by local artist Michael Meilak, was priceless.

It takes a village filled with volunteers for things to move forward. Volunteering is a selfless act that truly demonstrates the belief that the community is “worth it.”

Volunteerism has taught me the value and necessity of having high standards for the community to secure future successes. It was never viewed as “a handout,” but always a hand outstretched to help those willing to rise up to a higher standard of care for self, each other and ultimately the whole community.

People and time are a community’s greatest assets. We need to make sure our time is invested wisely for the future. There are great volunteer opportunities coming up soon, including Kolomoki State Parks Keep America Beautiful: Main to Mounds Clean-Up on March 15 and the Peanut Proud Festival in Downtown Blakely on March 22. I encourage you to invest in Early.

We should never be too busy to give back to the place we call home.

Shared with permission from The Early County News