Activism - Past, Present & Future

[Stearns]

Originally Posted by jenny

Hey there...

Are we talking here about activism as it relates to queer issues, or any sort of issues? I myself am a big believer of "do something," and along with my dad and several of his friends, I take a very active role in a charity we've formed. We collect furniture and housewares from people who are downsizing or who no longer need their stuff, and we use it to completely outfit apartments for underprivileged people who are obtaining housing through recognized social service agencies in our area. Many of our clients are formerly battered women and their children, AIDS patients, former drug addicts, formerly homeless people and the like.

Making a tangible difference in the lives of these people has, quite literally, changed the lives of all of us who take an active role in our charity. Several of the families we've worked with have become close friends, and now help out with our efforts as a way of "giving back." To me, there's nothing like the feeling I get from knowing that a little kid who was sleeping on a pile of clothes last night will be sleeping in his own bed tonight. Yes, it's hard, sweaty, often frustrating work, but it is oh so very worth it.

Any kind of activism at all, Jenny. That's really something that you, your dad and his friends actually formed a charity. I know you don't do it for admiration or accolades, but please allow me to say that I think what you're doing is wonderful. For people to give of themselves like this is really awesome.