Editorial Comments
By
~ This past month brought with it more than one plea for help as several individuals within our community reached out to their neighbors. Even more overwhelming is the fact that those needs were acted on, as neighbors heard the calls for help and willingly responded.
Several of you commented on Jason Rupek’s touching story of how his neighbor’s home was not only violated by an insulating home invasion, but also about the scars it left on the 14 year boy that lived there. As a result of his kindness others have stepped forward to help ease Mom’s burdens and attempt to restore the child’s faith in mankind.
Kevin Hardin’s incredible story has been all over the news of how this young 21year olds’ life has been forever altered, as a result of injuries he sustained, while fighting in Iraq trying to protect our freedom. As is true with most family tragedies the impact of this injury was far more reaching than just Kevin himself. Collateral damage, as it is often referred to, included the loss of his father’s job while trying to help tend to his sons medical needs. Now as the family desperately struggles to keep a roof over their head, they have been forced to turn to you their friends- their neighbors- for help. An in depth story about Kevin was seen on the cover of the Palm Beach Post, December 2, 2007 edition.
Six year old Giselle lost her battle in the fight against cancer and again Heights residents stepped forward to help her family with burial expenses – fees this family of eight could not bear on their own.
Over and over again Heights residents have proven that they do care, that people within the Heights accept a sense of responsibility to love thy neighbor. Even this month’s profile, like so many before him, shared that it was this compassion for fellow mankind, a sense of caring and community spirit that helped draw him to our neighborhood. A spirit so rare that few people travel through life having experienced it firsthand. Not because opportunities fail to present themselves but rather because people fail to act upon those opportunities.
Another example of such human kindness was seen in the accent section, of the December 12th edition, of the Palm Beach Post. For those of you that missed the article it told of a woman that took in a homeless man offering him among other things “a place to stay and food to eat” in exchange for helping with task around her Bed and Breakfast. You heard me right—she took in a homeless man! Her passion didn’t stop there however as the paper states “A simple offer of something to eat and a place to warm up has led Kenny Papp to become a member of Joanne Shapiro’s family”. Ok so maybe taking an adult stranger into our homes is just a little far out there for most of us, but how many of us would even stop to acknowledge a homeless man-- let alone reach out and make him one of our own? Yet this is exactly what Joann did and get this --- according to Joann “Kenny’s the hero.”
Now by helping with odd jobs around the Hibiscus House, Kenny is making his own way by “pulling weeds, cleaning out rooms and setting the dining room table.” Joann is the first to admit that she has little patience for panhandlers. “Why don’t you get a job” she claims to have yelled at more than a few of them. Kenny however was different “ he didn’t ask for change. He didn’t ask for food or anything else… he seemed lost and hungry” she told the reporter. Even her occasional offers for help were refused until on one particularly cold day she convinced him to come over to the inn and warm up while enjoying a little breakfast. It was that simple outreach of kindness that finally broke down the walls protecting Kenny from strangers and allowed them to nurture the relationship they both enjoy today.
Adopted first as a baby, this 58 year old drifter was raised in a proper upscale Boston home. According to the article his adopted father was even a Harvard graduate. Alcohol and hard times however changed the direction of this once hopeful young man. Now alcohol free Kenny is enjoying his new found attention and with it has gained some much needed self-esteem. Joann’s help however didn’t end with a simple plate of food or a bed with clean sheets- she truly reached out to fill his needs- to bring him into her fold and make him one of her own. In doing so she learned that much of Kenny’s problems stemmed from sudden seizures that caused him to black out. “Thanks to their intervention, Papp now takes three doses of anti-seizure medication a day and wears a medical-alert tag around his neck” the article went on to share. While he pulled the weeds in their flower beds they help him weed through the red tape that prevented him from receiving social security benefits that he was justly entitled to. They helped him open a bank account, took him to a dentist and had him fitted for new teeth. They even invited him to their Thanksgiving dinner!
According to Joann “Finding Kenny Papp has brought a new spirit to the inn”. She claims that “he is a self starter and an early riser that often surprises the inn staff by having coffee ready and the table set before they even arrive”. While it is obvious that Joann’s acts of kindness have not only touched the life of another but made a difference in her life as well, she is still reluctant to consider herself any sort of hero. And as the Post so eloquently quoted her as saying “Kenny’s the hero. I’m a heathen. And if there is a God, then he put this man in my life. Believe me; I don’t look for homeless people to save. But for whatever reason, this man crossed my path. I love him. We all love him” she said.
As we enter into the New Year let’s all remember that the choices we make impact not just our lives but the lives of those around us as well. Do you have a neighbor without a job- could you help by providing them with a meal? Has someone shared a burden with you…while you simply respond—that’s too bad? Let’s all take time to reevaluate our lives and see how we might make it better- not just for ourselves but for those around us as well. Let’s make 2008 a time to be aware of and care for---others. Let’s reach out an answer a prayer of another and remember that at some time in our lives--- we all need a little help!!
~Till next month, I once again challenge you to get involved, be kind to a neighbor, and most of all - I wish each of you a life filled with health, happiness, good fortune and peace.
To send your submissions, responses or request- email NPBHeights@bellsouth.net.