Following the examples, part two

Two stories this week focus on
voluntary service. One story deals with a group of retired women sewing
clothing for impoverished regions at home and abroad while the other deals with
three local Girl Scouts and their Silver Award projects to help others.

About 30 women at Maris Grove
formed a local chapter of Little Dresses for Africa in February. They make
clothing from pillowcases and drapes for kids in orphanages in African
countries as well as for kids in Appalachia and South America. Do they have to
do that? No, they do it because they like sewing and believe it’s a project
worthy of their time and effort.

One of the Girl Scouts put
together a rolling library for an underfunded private school in North
Philadelphia and two others installed a sensory trail for a therapist who uses
equestrian trails for her patients.

What is most significant about
these two stories is not the age difference between the participants, though
that is interesting, but the fact that the participation is voluntary. There
was no force or coercion for either group. Granted, the girls did get an award
for their service, but their actions were still voluntary. Most scouts, be they
girls or boys, don’t go after those higher awards. It takes a different level
of effort and desire.

That these actions were
voluntary is what makes them moral and worthy of praise. Such would not be the case if either
group were forced to do what they did. That would be nothing more than
obedience to some authority.

Without choice — an honest
choice with no retribution whatever the decision — there can be no morality, no
virtue.

Similarly, there can be no
charity without the voluntary choice to give one’s own time or money to a cause
or another person.

Americans have traditionally
been the most charitable people on the planet. Even when times were difficult,
Americans chipped in to help others all over the world. In that regard, the U.S. has been the
most moral country in the world — because of its people, not its government.

When the government chooses to
help another country or group of people, there is rarely anything voluntary
going on. It forcibly takes money and other resources from the private sector,
from the realm of voluntary association and cooperation and uses what it takes
for its own political ends.

Several weeks ago this space
was dedicated to efforts of the Wyeth and Kuerner families, of their efforts to
do the best they could for their families and community. The scouts and the
ladies of Maris Grove are continuing that legacy through their voluntary
efforts. They, too, set the proper example.

About CFLive Staff

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