Helping Out
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Well, last weekend I participated in one of my most favorite and most painful activities: Habitat for Humanity. I'm a big fan of the charity, I think they do great work, and their philosophy is one I agree with. I don't think throwing money at people is any sort of solution. No matter how many $2000 debit cards you hand out, I don't think it will really help anyone. Because to those people it simply isn't real. They'll blow it because it's not theirs.
Habitat is different though. The Home-owner has to help you build. They also have to help build 4 other houses. It works because they learn to appreciate their house. They learn to think of it as their own and as a fabulous gift. No, they're not the fanciest of houses. No they aren't the best built. But there's something else there. The blood sweat and tears of hundreds of volunteers. I think that matters to people. It's a hand-up, rather than a hand-out.
Parenthetically, I met one of the Tennessee Titans' tight ends at the house. He and I had a great time hauling roof trusses into place. I even brought the girlfriend along. She walked away feeling empowered (always a good thing) after she had spent the time putting in windows.
I walked away with lots of sore muscles and a righteous sunburn. I respect anyone that can do that for a living. I'll be content to sit at my desk for 9 hours a day, thank you.
Habitat is different though. The Home-owner has to help you build. They also have to help build 4 other houses. It works because they learn to appreciate their house. They learn to think of it as their own and as a fabulous gift. No, they're not the fanciest of houses. No they aren't the best built. But there's something else there. The blood sweat and tears of hundreds of volunteers. I think that matters to people. It's a hand-up, rather than a hand-out.
Parenthetically, I met one of the Tennessee Titans' tight ends at the house. He and I had a great time hauling roof trusses into place. I even brought the girlfriend along. She walked away feeling empowered (always a good thing) after she had spent the time putting in windows.
I walked away with lots of sore muscles and a righteous sunburn. I respect anyone that can do that for a living. I'll be content to sit at my desk for 9 hours a day, thank you.
