This time of year it always gives me hope when I hear all the "good will" stories of people helping other people. This year's "giving season" was kicked off in a major way by Oprah, who gave the members of her studio audience $1,000 with the condition they must give it away in "random acts of kindness" to one or more strangers. They were to record their experience with a video camera on loan to return their results on tape. People across the Country are "buzzing" about it and here in Colorado and across the country it's been a springboard for "giving back" holiday food, clothing and gift drives.

It reminds me though that Francis Moore Lappe, best selling author and founder of the Small Planet Institute said, "The problem with the phrase 'giving back' is that it denies our true nature. It presumes that we perceive ourselves as standing on the outside of community, feeling obligated to contribute because we are so privileged, instead of feeling connected and deeply entrenched in community as participants."

As I listened this week to the stories of simple acts people did for another or someone did for them that made a huge difference, it warmed my heart. It also made me a little sad because as wonderful as the stories are, I know that to really address some of our most challenging social issues in health care, housing, education and economic security, it will take more than a few random acts - it will take people like:

Chaplain Barbara McArthur with Blessing House Partners in Faith, who provides housing for 40 homeless women while working another job to pay her own bills. They may have to close the doors right after Thanksgiving because she can't continue to carry the costs for the women she's helping while they struggle to find full-time work.

Or the Hernandez family, who runs the Senior High Rise Food Bank and feeds over 400 people each month from their garage, yet are struggling and may have to close just after Christmas because they can't continue to pay for utilities, and gas to pick up food that's been donated on their retirement incomes.

Or the volunteers from the American GI Forum and Veterans for Peace who are personally struggling with their own battles with the Veterans Administration yet have come together to establish the Veterans Justice Alliance to provide support, care and comfort to the 800 homeless and disabled veterans living on the streets in the Denver area each night!

And these are just three of more than thirty social entrepreneurs ROLE is currently working with, each are committing their hands, hearts and souls - and most of their own money - to fill the gaps in our broken social safety net.

These are people who are fully entrenched in community and "walk the talk" each and every day. The River of Light Enterprise, Inc. (ROLE) - the nonprofit organization I am proud to lead - has established the Chamber of Compassion to "serve those who serve" by helping these unsung heroes get the support they need to keep many vital neighborhood-based programs alive.

Right now the people we serve who help so many others are in dire straights themselves and many may have to close their doors if the community doesn't step in and donate the cash they need to keep going. Most people think that those who serve the poor get tax money, foundation grants, or lots of donated money from the general public to support the work they do -- but the truth is…

· The Bush FY 2007 budget cuts 141 domestic programs, led by a $36-billion cut in Medicare spending for the elderly over the next five years and the complete elimination of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program that provides food assistance to low-income seniors, needy pregnant women and children.

· According to the 1998 National Congregations Study, the first comprehensive study of churches and their spending showed that less than 3% of the average congregation's total budget was spent on social services.

· According to the Independent Sector, the share of giving that goes to organizations known for helping the poor, hit a record low in 2004, accounting for less than 10% of the $248 billion donated by Americans and their philanthropic institutions.

Eliminating poverty is not a "random act" - it takes consistency, commitment, and perseverance. And it takes CASH! Cash for things like phones to coordinate donations; for gas and oil to deliver necessities to those in need and for paying utility bills at emergency housing units.

Right now, Blessing House needs $5,000, or all 10 women looking to start a new and prosperous life will be back out on the street right after Thanksgiving!

Unless we can raise $5,000 to help Senior High Rise Food Bank pay their utilities and transportation costs, people will be hungry by Christmas!

And if we don't raise another $5,000 to support the Veterans Justice Alliance through the end of the year, we will be unable to provide on-going care and support to over 20 Veterans who are struggling to keep food on their tables and a roof over their head while they are waiting for their claims to be processed.

These are OUR neighborhood resources that have been selflessly helping quietly while we are living our lives. They start their days feeding people who are hungry, searching for shelter for those who are homeless, and challenging bureaucrats to respond to people who have "fallen through the cracks" of our broken safety net. And they do it with little or no recognition or sufficient support from the community they serve.

Hubert Humphrey once said, "Government will never replace the helping hand of a neighbor". Unless we can all come together as a community and support not only the large organizations who can afford to advertise their programs on television and in large ads in the local newspapers but the small food bank or shelter right in our own neighborhoods - we may loose the only programs that are currently catching those who have already fallen through the cracks.

My prayer is that we all take Oprah's challenge and practice random acts of kindness with more focus. Better yet, I challenge you to consider making "consistent acts of kindness", and perhaps becoming a sponsoring member of the RIVER OF LIGHT ENTERPRISE. Our pledge is to use ALL of the money raised to keep Blessing House, the Senior High Rise Food Bank and the Veterans Justice Projects open and serving the most vulnerable among us. If you'd like to discuss these issues or would like more facts, I welcome your call at 303-667-6032.

Sincerely,

Julieann Murphy-Cross
Pres./CEO River of Light Enterprise
http://www/rivereoflight.org
303-667-6032