VOLUME VIII – Brotherly Love

Dear South Jersey,

Our buddy Punxsutawney Phil has given us a hopeful forecast for the rest of the winter and I couldn’t be happier! I’m sure you feel the same way.

However, in the midst of the (keep your fingers crossed) upcoming warm weather, I’d like to reflect back on the winter that was…

If I’m not mistaken, the month of January marked one of, if not the largest accumulation of snow in one month’s time in recent history. It was hectic, it was cold, it was bitter and there was a whole hell of a lot of snow out there to clean up!

Now, there are two sides to my plight… As a side job, I walk dogs for a living, all in this area. As a walker, it is extremely inconvenient and dangerous for me and my clients to walk on a sidewalk that hasn’t been shoveled.

I’ve seen the worst of it this year: both ice and snow, and with a recently reconstructed knee, I don’t want any further tears to set me back because someone is too lazy to shovel their property. Most of the communities I walk in are quite affluent. Now, the affluent had to be worth as much as they are for some reason, right? A hard working personality is most likely much needed for this type of lifestyle. So, why is it that some sidewalks remain covered in snow until it goes away on its own? You can pay someone if it’s that bad!

On the other side of the situation, I do understand that there are those out there that are physically unable to do this job. Such circumstances may include old age, physical injuries, time restraints or the kids are too young to shovel this year.

Therefore, I’d like to reflect upon the best kind of volunteerism out there… the exact factor in this particular area that defines a good volunteer: Brotherly Love.

My parents have seen their better years of shoveling snow… As a recent college graduate, I live at home and not only help my own financial situation, but my parents’ as well, at the current moment. Regardless of that situation, I am the designated shoveler.

After the last big snow storm in January, I began shoveling the one-foot-plus of snow the morning after the storm. My next door neighbors have a snow blower and had no trouble doing their sidewalks and driveway. They began their day with no worries.

But, the guy down the street had a snow blower, as well. God bless his soul: he took his snow blower all around the eight house radius surrounding his house and cleared the sidewalks and driveways of his neighbors.

Scott is new to my community, and beings that we live in Delran, he probably won’t read this, but he showed a true mark of volunteerism through Brotherly Love.

So, South Jersey, I didn’t mean to preach, but I’m passionate about the point: be a good neighbor… if you can afford to spend the extra time to help a neighbor, please do. That can serve as the best form of volunteerism if you’re looking for the opportunity!

Thanks Scott in Delran!

My meeting with Tracey Femiano of the Medford Arts Center is this Friday. More to come. Check out The Central Record this week for my February review!

Yours,

Kevin Haslam