Love song to America

In this period of political divisiveness and distrust of one another, I would like to sing a “love song to America” and its people.

I am 84 years old. My Swiss/German/Hungarian grandparents immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. My cousins and I were the first generation of our family to have the opportunity to go to college. I have lived in big cities (Detroit; Chicago); mid-size  ones; and small rural ones, meeting and working with people of many different colors, backgrounds, religions and political opinions.

Over the years, I have experienced some periods of dismay, cynicism and downright pessimism about mankind. But, overall, I am grateful to be an American and proud of the unique mix of people who have made it what it is. In only two years, we’ll be celebrating our 250th birthday as a nation.

I retired a year ago from 24 years as executive director of the United Way of Cherokee & Clay Counties, the main goal of which was to support the efforts and help raise funds for local not-for-profit social service agencies. Prior to that, I was executive director for 26 years of agencies serving children and families and for 10 years of agencies serving physically and mentally handicapped children and adults.

Over those 60 years, I have seen and worked with hundreds of dedicated teachers, social workers, coaches, ministers and church youth workers. I have been touched and overwhelmed by the generosity of individuals, churches, civic groups and businesses who have given gifts ranging from $3 (in crumpled dollar bills) to $50,000.

Most of all, I have been “blown away” by the incredible efforts and dedication of volunteers, such as those at our local food banks (most of them ages 60-plus, who worked even during COVID) who gather and distribute food every week to people who need it; those who deliver Meals on Wheels; volunteer coaches of children’s athletic teams; hospital volunteers; volunteer firefighters; and so many others.

Volunteerism is a rather unique concept. It is completely foreign to many countries.

In 1987, shortly after China re-opened to visitors, I had the experience of spending several weeks visiting Chinese schools, orphanages, hospitals and mental health facilities. I also presented a speech and slide show at a major medical center there about our services in America for mentally handicapped children and adults.

The doctors, psychologists and teachers attending were astounded by the fact that most of our first programs for these children and adults were started by parents who met on their own initiative and raised money to start classes and activities for their children, which usually were held at first in the basement or a spare room of churches (of different denominations) that stepped up to provide space.

The Chinese audience was particularly astonished that these American parents were allowed to get together to do this. In China at the time, every bloc of housing had an overseer, and no private gatherings of more than eight people were permitted by the government.

I had a similar experience in Russia in 1992, when I was there at the time when the Soviet Union was just in the process of breaking up.

But that is the incredible spirit and history of the people of the United States from the time of the pilgrims and pioneers through the present. People who were courageous enough to leave old lives behind to settle a new country. People who explored and settled it from coast to coast.

People at the beginning and through the years with the willingness to work together to raise barns and build roads and bridges, to start schools and churches and local governments, parks and libraries. People willing to give to good causes (and carry out fund-raising events on their behalf).

People willing – then and now – to volunteer their time and efforts to help others and to build their neighborhoods, communities and our nation. And with the freedom to do so.

How fortunate we are. We are a nation to be proud of. Let’s work together and appreciate one another.

The writer is a resident of Murphy.