white poison industries

You heard it. I know you did. Everybody heard it. On January 20, our amazing new president reminded us all to stop feeling sorry for ourselves, pick up some tools, and start fixing shit. He led up to that moment by calling for a major day of service on Martin Luther King Jr.’s holiday. Now, I know that MLK Day has been designated a “day of service” since 1994, but how many times have you actually used your day off to do anything more than beat that really hard level of Mario Brothers? Or get yourself a really good deal on a couch at the furniture store’s MLK Day sale?

This year people took that call to service seriously and here in the 515, we busted out some primo community service for some folks who really needed the help.

The Iowa Global Warming Campaign teamed up with folks from the Central Iowa Recovery Network, MidAmerican Energy, and the Des Moines Rehabbers Club to take on the 2009 Weatherization Challenge.
(Cue fanfare!)

Roughly 40 volunteers teamed up to provide insulation assistance to just under 20 low-income and elderly residents. The goal was to save these folks some money, and help save the earth by reducing their energy consumption.

The teams installed plastic over drafty windows, sealed up cracks in the foundation with spray foam insulation, provided tools to check water heater temperatures and furnace filters, and more.

Perhaps more important than the physical improvements they made, though, were the personal connections. Many of the people who needed assistance were Meals on Wheels clients and don’t get out of their houses much, especially during the winter. Though some of them put on a gruff face for the volunteers, probably out of pride, the knowledge that somebody out there cared enough to make sure they were keeping warm this winter went a long way toward lifting their spirits and helping them feel connected to their community. Additionally, I spoke to some of the volunteers afterward who told me that their eyes had been opened that day. The experience of going into someone’s home, meeting them, and seeing the circumstances in which they live, gave them a new understanding of the strength and dignity of people who are most affected by these difficult times. It re-awakened in our volunteers a sense of compassion that the cynicism of our times often overshadows.

In the past, bursts of service centered around a certain day or event have often simmered down to just a handful of dedicated volunteers carrying on the work throughout the year. But this time, with the strength of new alliances we saw built between the organizations and volunteers that day and with the example and encouragement of our leaders, I think the spirit of service will continue to compel people to volunteer, donate to food banks, and check in on their elderly neighbors. Whether you’re a lifelong volunteer or are just signing up for your first experience, it takes a certain measure of courage to step out of your comfort zone, work face to face with people, and acknowledge the responsibility we all have to each other. I saw 40 courageous people stand up and claim that responsibility this week, and I’d like to think that’s only the beginning.

Now, listen up, this is the part where I stop being all sappy and professional and start talking to you like you’re my cousin. President Obama wasn’t playing when he talked about all that service and responsibility stuff. He’s got a website out there to make sure you stick to it. Visit www.usaservice.org. That’s the website set up for the Renew America Together program. You can skip the sign-up screen on the front page if you want to. The good stuff is inside. Punch in your zip code and BAM! You’re hit with a whole list of projects going on in your area. They need YOU. Mario will live on to save the princess later. (She’s not in the castle you’re working so hard to beat anyway. Don’t trust the mushroom.) So buck up your courage, get out there, and volunteer the hell outta some shit. The President said so!