Philanthropy

I created this blog in an effort to articulate the values that I purport to live by and thereby create an avenue of accountability. So I value hard work, I value growing by own food, I value a structured life, I value philanthropy. I value a sense of community; I value MY community.

In an effort to increase my philanthropy this past year I donated a significant amount of time (and heart & soul) to an all-star cheerleading team. It was an amazing experience to be part of the Prince Albert Cheer Explosion All-star Cheerleading Team this past year. To watch the growth and personal development of each of the 19 girls that called themselves PACE cheerleaders.

Cheerleading is one of very few sports that cannot function without each one of its members; where the "functions like a well oiled machine" adage is very real. Each one of those girls needs to be there, when they are supposed to be; not even one second late! The consequences can simply be aesthetic (stunts don't go as high) but can also be dangerous (there's no one to catch a stunt that is coming down). I think it took them the whole year to learn this, but they did learn it.

Fostering this team effort, a reliance on others, is what true community is all about. I wish that we could put as much trust into each other that these girls have within their team. But the truth is, our society is moving away from community. We are relying on community to do less and less, and expecting ourselves to accomplish just as much. It truly does take a village (community) to raise a child.

I can't wait for next year's cheer team to get started. The coach and other support personnel are all excited to watch a new (with some returning members) group of girls become the best individuals they can be. In the process they will become amazing cheerleaders.