Novelist, playwright, poet and social critic James Baldwin once said, “I can’t believe what you say, because I see what you do.” I don’t think he meant that as a personal indictment; he was simply encouraging people to do something that matters. And one thing that matters is time.
There are 168 hours in a week. How much of that time is wasted? Probably much more than one percent, but that’s all Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., challenged us to give as a doer for others. As we celebrate his legacy, shouldn’t we consider answering his challenge?
Seeing others serve willingly, selflessly and without prompting says more than words can describe. We often wonder how they have time to do it, but we know what it means when we see them do it. In the past few years, the Lincoln Recreation Center has recognized many of our citizens who reach out to our community and its youth.
Like Dr. King, our 2012 Keeping the Dream Alive award recipients exemplify what is admired most in philanthropy and volunteering. They embody the essence of caring doers. Time is as important to them as anyone else, but they sacrifice their personal time as an act of paying it forward for the rest of us.
We invite you to join us at the Lincoln Recreation Center (1000 Eleanor) on Saturday at 5:45 p.m., when we honor our award recipents as part of the annual Musical Tribute and Celebration of Dr. King’s life and legacy. Admission is free, and Dr. Joey Washington, College Station High School’s Assistant Principal, will be the honored guest speaker.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are we doing for others”?
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We hope to see you Saturday!
Slideshow: LRC’s 2012 MLK Tribute
