Fifty years ago The Band recorded this epic song. The song is much copied and has been recorded by Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers, Spooky Tooth and the Ventures to name a few. This week I received a video from a fellow Board member that featured the original songwriter and The Band leader, Robbie Robertson and Ringo Starr. The two were leading a talented group of musicians from around the world as a part of Playing for Change Foundation. The Songs Around the World theme highlights musicians in their native environments with the goal to inspire and connect the world through music. The musicians are not in the same room or even the same country and yet they are in perfect harmony. This link https://www.youtube.com/watch?
There are so many heart warming examples of people thinking of others in the face of personal challenges. Crisis in this country is dependably a rally cry to focus our cumulative efforts on addressing and overcoming the threat. Our country is unique in so many ways, one of which is the extensive network of not for profits that support our communities. Much of the funding is local and Mark Johnson, KTVB Anchor, working from home highlighted the annual fund raising events cancelled by the Coronavirus this week. The list was long and included events like the Wild West Auction which annually raises $800,000 dollars for the Boys and Girls Club of Ada County. The Club provides a non school home for thousands of children in our county and with school closed is providing daily breakfast and lunch for children in need across the Valley. A wise CEO advised that offering a helping hand to someone in need is one important element of thriving in our “shelter in place” world. If you can afford it, a donation to your favorite not for profit today will make a difference to you and them.
“When written in Chinese, the word crisis is composed of two characters, One represents danger and the other represents opportunity. “ John F Kennedy. And to highlight or bemoan our current National lack of leadership, “After all, a crisis doesn’t make a person; it reveals what a person is made of.” Warren Wiersbe
I can’t mask my appreciation for those who selflessly lead the way.
Stay well. Mike