My friend, Jennifer, knows it’s a miracle she’s alive today. Thirty-three years ago, her mother learned the baby she was carrying had Down syndrome, along with other birth defects. Her doctor insisted the child be aborted. He predicted that neither she nor the baby would survive the delivery as her pregnancy carried too many complications.
Despite the fact that she was continually ill throughout the pregnancy, Jennifer’s mother, believing God was in control of life and death, chose a different path. She went to three different doctors, searching for one who understood her desire to have the baby, regardless of the outcome. She finally found one who committed to pray with her and give her the medical care she needed.
Jennifer’s mom carried her baby to term, dismissing her original physician’s opinion that ending her baby’s life was the best decision for everyone. At 38 weeks, after 72 hours of labor, Jennifer was born a healthy baby, free of birth defects and abnormalities. Jennifer’s mother celebrated her miracle, knowing God had been in control all along.
During Jennifer’s teen-age years, as Jennifer was preparing to do mission work, her mother shared with her the miracle surrounding her birth. It touched Jennifer’s heart and motivated her to become an active volunteer years later with Life Choices, an organization dedicated to pregnant women, “empowering them to make life affirming choices for themselves and their families,” as noted in their mission statement. Jennifer counsels with pregnant teens struggling with the decision of abortion. She speaks at Life Choices events and helps with fundraising activities to assist the organization. Jennifer’s volunteer work is a positive influence with young pregnant women.
Volunteer efforts make a difference. There are hundreds of ways to get involved and give back to others. The nonprofit organization, Medal4Mettle (M4M), was formed after one man experienced heart-wrenching emotions while visiting a friend suffering from cancer.
Runner’s World tells the story of “a marathoning doctor [who] gives medals to patients struggling through much harder races.” (Oct 2008). Dr. Steven Isenberg, a head and neck surgeon in Indianapolis and marathon runner, was on a runner’s high when he went to visit his friend, Les Taylor. The author explains, “Les Taylor, who had prostate cancer, lay flat on his back with tubes running in and out of him. At a loss for words, Dr. Isenberg pulled his finishers’ medal from his pocket and placed it around Taylor’s neck. ‘I want you to have this,’ he said. ‘You are running a much more difficult marathon than the one I completed.’ Before he died, Taylor told Dr. Isenberg how much he treasured the medal. Those words inspired Dr. Isenberg to start Medals4Mettle…”
This organization now distributes medals all over the world from healthy athletes competing in marathon events to those less fortunate, showing mettle, or courage, with their own challenging marathons. Through the efforts of a handful of volunteers, M4M has distributed more than 11,000 medals, acknowledging the difficult battle the recipients are fighting with their illnesses while encouraging them on their journey.
Giving back to our community comes naturally when our volunteer efforts are built around activities we believe in. My husband, Randy, and I enjoy running in the Soaring Wings half-marathon in Conway. It’s rewarding to be part of an event benefiting an organization with a cause we’re passionate about.
Soaring Wings Christian Home and Ranch provides a home for abused and neglected children, offering a strong family support structure. With five children of our own, Randy and I understand the needs of children. Through publicity and fund-raising activities surrounding the event, we can help make a difference for less fortunate children.
We also participate in the Kids Triathlon in Conway, manning a water station for the runners coming through. It’s fun to support the kids running by, offering a cold drink of water to help get them to the finish line. By giving a minimal amount of time, we encourage young children to make exercise a priority, a choice that can change their life.
Volunteering in our community makes a difference. The oft-quoted suggestion by President John F. Kennedy is still a good reminder for us today, “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” Or stated another way, ask not what your community can do for you but what you can do for your community.