Amid general clamor, we commend those groups that quietly and effectively go about the business of making a difference.
The most recent example focuses on a local, not-for-profit mission to Haiti, while hundreds of millions of U.S. aid dollars for that nation remain in federal coffers.
Hope for Caribbean Kids was incorporated in 2003 by a local couple, Richard and Iva Presberry. A story in Wednesday's News Tribune documented their most recent trip to Haiti and their efforts to build a new school in a remote area in the southern part of the impoverished country.
Contrast that with a story published July 22 under the headline: "U.S. pledge to Haiti not being met." The story reveals that in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti, "half of the $1.8 billion the U.S. promised for rebuilding is still in the Treasury, its disbursement stymied by an understaffed U.S. Embassy in Portau-Prince ..."
While those funds sit idle, the local mission is mustering resources to build a new facility to replace a storage building that now serves as a school.
In a summer newsletter, Iva Presberry wrote: "Currently, they have six teachers who work without getting paid months at a time teaching the 250 children."
Hope for Caribbean Kids is among the local groups that exemplify the axiom that actions speak more loudly than words.
Previously in this forum, we have identified other groups in that category. They include:
• Food 4 Kids volunteers from local churches, agencies and businesses who assemble summer meals for hungry children.
• Computer camp volunteers - representing higher education, area businesses and the Chamber of Commerce - who are helping to attract and retain young professionals.
Hunger, jobs and serving other people all are big issues that generate much discussion and debate. That's as it should be. But, amid the constant chatter, we must not ignore or overlook the dedicated volunteers who are taking action - gathering resources and helping others. Their humble service speaks volumes.