Day of service (hour and a half of sort of service)

[lauradi7dw]

Many people have pointed out MLK jr's disdain for centrists and people who just want us all to vaguely get along (although he was a pacifist). Still, I hope he would at least have some sympathy for people who mean well. In Lexington, as in many places, his Monday-ized birthday is observed with a gathering and then several options of service projects. I participated in one that assembled fleece blankets to be given to homeless shelters. There were close to 300 people there, many whole families with small children, in the various colors and religions of the town. It was pleasant, if loud. It wasn't politically radical. Our little action won't change the world. It might help a hundred people (about the number of completed blankets) be a little warmer, which isn't a bad thing. I expect most of us don't have a good feeling for what it would be like to try to sleep in a homeless shelter, although many people in the area make use of the food pantry and the free Wednesday night supper in town. In a very wealthy town we do have people who struggle to make ends meet, but no homeless shelter.