Tuesday, we told the story of Kay McElroy and the Cedarhill Animal Sanctuary she founded in Caledonia 29 years ago. The story focused on the sanctuary’s desperate need for donations if it is to continue to be a haven for exotic animals — primarily big cats — who might otherwise face euthanasia.
While we encourage animal lovers to rally to that cause, we were also struck by another aspect of McElroy’s story, something that should, in one way or another, resonate with all of us.
The subject is needs and how they are met.
In McElroy’s case, the need found her. What began as her modest effort to help one malnourished cougar by taking it in when the owner confessed he could no longer care for it became a life’s passion. It started with one cat, but over the ensuing three decades, McElroy would save hundreds of others.
McElroy’s story, while unique in some respects, is not entirely uncommon. In fact, many of the charitable organizations begin with a single person recognizing a need and responding to meet it.
For some, it was the plight of the hungry and the response came in the form of food banks and meal programs.
The plight of the homeless stirred the hearts that created programs big (Habitat for Humanity) and small (The Golden Triangle Homeless Coalition).
Literacy programs — including the Imagination Library, which provides free books to pre-school children — often begin small and grow to become something with the potential to alter the lives of many.
Of the 17 programs supported by the United Way of Lowndes County, many began as one person’s response to a need in the community that had previously gone neglected.
For the rare few, such as McElroy, that passion becomes a profession, a life calling. For others, the passion is something that fills a void in their lives that exists outside the work place.
The commitment in time, money and energy may vary according to the nature of the need in question, but there is little doubt that all of these efforts matter. They enrich the lives of both those in need and those who step forward to meet those needs.
That is why we believe it is beneficial for all who are able to involve themselves in some charitable cause. We all have something meaningful to contribute and often it is through our volunteer efforts that we find a need that suits our abilities and passions.
And, as we note with McElroy, sometimes that need finds us.
We should all be mindful of unmet needs in our community, be they large or small.
And when we are compelled to say, “somebody should do something about this,” we may find the best person for the job is the person we see in our mirror.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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