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MOM and that #1 ranking
Middleton Times Tribune - July 26, 2007
by Dietrich Gruen, Middleton Outreach Ministry
AMEN to Alderman Andy Lewis’ excellent and succinct argument (July 19 issue of MTT), which read, in part: “If you question the selection, be a part of the solution… If Middleton is not as inclusive as you want it to be, volunteer for one of the local nonprofits that work to serve those who are overlooked by others… There are plenty of opportunities for you to provide leadership to issues that will keep Middleton as a desirable place to live.”
I take this argument to mean, in effect, we are to get out of the boat (your “comfort zone”) and seek the welfare of the overlooked people of this great city. The Middleton family on the front cover of Money magazine pictured as sailing away, for example—they are extremely active volunteers in the community. Go and do likewise.
Neighborliness is one of the criteria we must have received high marks for, to get that #1 ranking over all other friendly cities. And it’s not just in our marketing slogan as the “Good Neighbor City.” We deserve this claim to fame for many good reasons.
MOM contributes to the overall neighborliness of the “Good Neighbor City” in many ways. In fact, so the community is MOM in many respects. Our staff simply match volunteers, donors and befrienders with people in need. Almost 400 of you good neighbors offer rides, visit the elderly, sort the food, hang the clothes, do the data entry, get our mailings out, greet people at the front desk, and serve on the Board of Directors and its various committees. Another 200-plus of you help with Christmas Fest dinner at St. Bernard’s. Still another 200 of you Share Christmas through MOM, matched with families in need by buying the gifts on their wish list. Nearly 1500 of you gave financially in 2006. May your tribe increase.
Under United Way auspices, we also organize city-wide “Days of Caring.” Organized as a pilot project for the surrounding cities of Dane County to emulate, such specific service projects have yet to catch on in other city outside Madison except this “Good Neighbor City”—again, thanks in no small measure to Middleton being #1 in neighborliness.
This year, Middleton’s “Days of Caring” once again fall across the week of Good Neighbor Fest. The kick off is on Thursday, August 23, from 5:00—7:00pm, at the Capital Brewery (another feature of this #1 city) with a rally. So please join us. Participants are invited to “Bring Your Own Food and/or School Supply” donations for MOM. That whole week is our School Backpack program, so don’t wait until August 23; please bring in those school supplies now.
MOM is also in great need of food donations. After a summer of families having to feed their school-age children without relying on the federal-funded free and reduced breakfast lunch program, they have had to rely all the more on your donations to the MOM Food Pantry. We give out what comes in, and supplement what is missing with dairy purchases, etc. So cash donations help, too.
Several shifts of TDS employees will do their MOM-sponsored “Day of Caring” on Wednesday, August 22, stuffing school backpacks with the donations that come in the weeks before. On Friday, August 24, for employees of other area businesses, MOM has over 12 other projects scheduled at both our Distribution Center (the “DC”) and at the homes of our elderly clients. People will be painting, cleaning gutters, washing windows, doing other yard work for clients in our Project for Older People (POP). “Days of Caring” for MOM conclude with a huge 2-day DC reorganization project, August 28-29. Several Middleton High School youth will help with this task.
And on the 5th day, this MOM will rest... from providing projects!
This is just one week in the life of the #1 City that will NOT rest on its laurels. As a city working together, we connect our neighbors for good. MOM is grateful to play a role in that. “Connecting neighbors for good”—MOM’s mission—speaks to the welfare of us all. Let us all work for “the rest”—that is, the last, the least, and the lost—until Middleton becomes best known for offering the help and hope that gets all its residents off welfare and into the marketplace, out of poverty into prosperity—fulfilling the words of both Money and the prophet Jeremiah:
“‘Seek the peace and prosperity of the city.... Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.... For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:7-11).
Many of you regard MOM highly, join in willingly, support us generously. Thank you, one and all, for making MOM and Middleton #1 in the hearts of so many. Still, I would hope you also agree that there is more we can do for the poor, especially if we are to live up to that #1 ranking.
If, at Andy Lewis’ suggestion, you want to volunteer with a nonprofit, I welcome you. I bid you join the many donors, volunteers, churches and staff who make up Middleton Outreach Ministry. Since some August projects need your donations of time, talent or treasure, I invite you to contact Carole Klopp at carole@mompop.org or check out the opportunities at www.mompop.org.
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