Over the last while CBC television ran a program called Champions of Change. Over a fairly long time period the broadcaster asked people to submit the names of volunteers they felt were involved in projects that were making a positive change in society.
These are the types of programs that give the CBC such an important impact on culture and society as a whole.
After selecting many worthwhile citizens for the great work they do, there was a chance for viewers to get a close up view of what some of these folks are doing to help others who are in great need. Viewers were invited to vote on who they thought should be the two most deserving Champions of Change.
It was emphasized this did not mean the others were lesser in their crusades to improve society. The two chosen would be held up as ambassadors to all of what we are capable of if we set our sights on a worthy cause and decide to stay the course to accomplish a dream.
One of the champions works to help orphaned children in Haiti, who would never even have a chance given to them if not for this man's diligence. Due to circumstances beyond their control they were behind the eight ball from the moment of their birth. They would never have had the chance to have a proper diet, let alone the chance of schooling that so many of us in more affluent countries take for granted. The only right they were given was the right to breath and live in abject poverty.
The second Champion of Change was chosen for the work he is doing in this country. Again it is his work for children, who again were behind the eight ball, that earned him the honour. His accomplishments belied the view that I have often heard that, "some of these countries should just get their you know what together and solve their own problems, since our own county has many of the same social needs."
This second project was to help children in this country who had for the greatest part had their childhood stolen from them. This champion has created a program where the kids could just play and be kids, rather than struggle through the psychological problems that had been heaped on them by irresponsible parenting brought on by the parents' inability to control their own lives due to drug abuse or other social problems. These children had not had the chance to play and live their youngest years without fear and hunger and thus were also never given a chance. In this program, the man who ran it, was giving society a chance to hug and comfort these kids and show them they are loved, thus giving them the comfort zone needed for them to perhaps grow into responsible members of society.
To me the good shown in this valuable CBC program shows all of us that, if we want, we can also be a champion in our own right. We cannot all be leaders who create a new program and it would not be in the interest of society for all of us to do so. We also need foot soldiers, for existing organizations that are already doing great things. We need workers to carry out the mission for each of these groups. If everyone started a new program we would reinvent the wheel too often and would end up with nothing but a mess that would be getting nothing done.
We need people to join in on a cause that stirs their soul by joining with others who are driven in that direction to form functional groups who will, by their numbers, insure success in their goals.
Each of the champions who gained accolades would not have been able to get off first base, if it had not been for the legions of the other unsung heroes, who were supporting them in the endeavour. In this I subscribe to that old adage of many hands working together making the project manageable.
To all of those who volunteer in any way this is my accolade to you. For no matter how small you think your input is, without you the generals of society would get no further than the planning stages. Thus you too are a champion of change when you help give momentum to those plans and ideas.
Jan. 15, in the shuffleboard tournament held at the Do Drop In here in Meota, Frank Antoine and Josephine Nedelec took first place, Bill Humphrey and Shirley Tebay came in second, Ken Tucker and Georgina Humphrey followed in third place and Walter Ard and Joyce Antoine made up the fourth place team. Again this was a well attended event and from the information I have, there will be another planned in the near future.
Jan. 17, the bridge players went head to head in some contract bridge. First place was sewn up by Frank Antoine with Robert Iverson coming in second. Jan. 18, in duplicate bridge action, the winners were Eric Callbeck, Ross Morton, Jette and Terrance DaSilva.
Quote: "It is not the planners and strategists who carry things through to completion, but the hoards of willing workers who soldier on to bring change to a needy world." Churchill
