Eric Reece
One of the things that makes me proud of our community is the way we pull together when there is a need.
This is part of who we are and why our community is able to overcome adversity, time after time.
Generosity is a powerful thing. I agreed with the way the Rev. Clarence Jordan explained why the Good Samaritan stopped to help the man: he had empathy.
There is a big difference between sympathy and empathy. One is feeling concerned; the other is understanding. No one is exempt from knowing the pain of human suffering. We help -- we give -- because we understand.
When it comes to generosity, Oseola McCarty is a hero. At age 12, she had an aunt who needed someone to look after her. Miss McCarty quit school to care for her aunt. She never had the opportunity to go back.
Along the way, she took in laundry and earned a little from a regular group of customers. What little she earned she supported her church and put in a savings account she started at the urging of her mother.
Eventually, she cared for her elderly mother. She never married and had no children. She worked hard, saved and lived simply. Her bank noticed her account had grown over the years and with their help, she set up a trust.
She included her three relatives, her church and then she requested the rest of her estate go to Southern Miss University for scholarships to help students have an education. She was not able to go to school or had children and she wanted children to be able to attend college. This was her wish and was not influenced by anyone. She had no known connection to the university and they were surprised when they learned the scholarship fund would be $125,000.
When word got out Miss McCarty became celebrated for her generosity. A New York Times article titled “All she has: $150,000 is going to a University” made her story known. She was honored not only by the university, but many institutions. She received the Presidential Citizen Medal.
On the 25th anniversary of her surprise gift, Southern Mississippi honored her with a statue of her sitting, holding her Bible which she loved to read.
Recently, our community has shown generosity in a number of ways. Over the holidays, the Ingles grocery store offered patrons the opportunity to buy $5 food bags. All the food went straight to the food pantries in Graham County. Our Ingles was in the top 10 for bags purchased.
If you adjust the stores by population, I believe we would be number 1.
Our McDonald’s was recognized as the leader in supporting the Ronald McDonald House through their round-up program. When you round up the cost of your meal, the difference goes to help families stay in a house near their children’s hospital.
Our United Community Bank is currently holding a food drive for our school pantries and the response from the community is great.
I could add the many local businesses who give to the community again and again. Their generosity often goes unnoticed.
Thank you Graham County, for understanding.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is pastor of Robbinsville Unite Methodist Church and can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.