HAROLD KELLER / L’Observateur / July 24, 1999

Tuesday, I attended an “Education Summit: Safe Schools and Healthy Communities.” The summit was held at the Shell Norco Employee ClubBuilding and was sponsored by Shell. It was organized by the RPEI (RiverParishes Education Initiatives). Lily Acosta-Galland of Shell and presidentof RPEI invited some government personnel, social agencies and school personnel to collaborate ideas and to formulate appropriate action plans to ultimately achieve safe schools and healthy communities in the River Parishes.

The people in attendance were divided by parishes. The St. John group, ofwhich I was a part, was well represented. As a group, we came to theconclusion that in order to achieve safe schools, we must work together.

We must all become unselfish and be willing to give and to understand that a safe school is the by-product of a healthy community. It’s aquestion of not wanting to be on the receiving end all the time. We mustall become givers of our ideas and time.

The one thing that will destroy a community, a family, a business, a church, etc., is selfishness. We must wake up and realize that it is moreblessed to give than to receive. I’m not talking about money, but time,compassion, concern and love. We must want the best for our communities,not expecting anything in return. (I say not expecting anything in return,but if we give, we will reap all the godly returns.)Perhaps the following poem given to me by a drug addict says it all:

“The Joy of Unselfish Giving”

Time is not measured by the years that you live, But by the deeds that you do and the joy that you give.

Each day as it comes brings a chance to each one To love to the fullest, leaving nothing undone.

That would brighten the life, or lighten the load Of some weary traveler lost on life’s road.

So what does it matter how long we may live, If as long as we live, we unselfishly give.

Anonymous

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” (Luke 6:38)

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