Rick Badie's Gwinnett: Seize the moment and do good for others
It’s not everyday someone calls me a do-gooder, but that’s the message that awaited me this week after a weekend that was way too short.
A subscriber called after she read the column about Bob Hanson, the 60-something, laid-off salesman from Loganville who needed a job.
Though she wished Hanson well in his search, she offered no leads or employment tips.
However, she did have 25,000 frequent miles that are set to expire soon, and that she wants to give away.
See, she has no desire to travel and doesn’t know a soul who might put the mileage to good use. Maybe, she told me later, a reader might.
“I don’t have to go anywhere that badly, thank the good Lord,” she told me. “The last time I sat on a flight it was like packed sardines, so I am not going anywhere the way they fly now. I tried to donate them to a friend and he didn’t go anywhere, either.”
The reader, who wished to remain anonymous, doesn’t care who’s the recipient of the frequent flier miles, just as long as they are used toward a good cause.
“I don’t want anyone to profit from it,” she told me.
So if you’re interested and have a serious need, let this “do-gooder” know and I’ll be the conduit for an exchange.
Later this week, I got an e-mail from Kelly Mears of Lawrenceville who asked that I extend an invitation to the community for an event that takes place today.
First, let me give you the back story.
Elder Garcia, a 38-year-old married father of two girls who lives in Lawrenceville, was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
He lacks medical insurance, and the economic downturn has put a hurt on a construction company he’s owned the past 12 years. Imagine their plight.
The Garcias attend Horizon Baptist Church and Karen, their daughter, is a student in a preschool run by the Suwanee church.
To that end, the campus — at 2172 Lawrenceville Suwanee Road — is to host a communitywide garage sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. Proceeds will benefit the Garcia family.
Moreover, contributions can be made at www.horizon baptist.net/help_elder_garcia .htm.
Apparently the Garcias are well-liked and respected. Good people. Why else would the Horizon church devote a link about Elder Garcia’s plight on its Web site: www.horizonbaptist.net/home.
“Elder has always been a giver,” it states. ... “Now, Elder needs help. His friends are raising money to assist with his increasing medical bills and living expenses. Please donate whatever you can. If everyone gives a little, then we can give him a lot.”
Checks can be made payable to Horizon Baptist Church specifically for the Elder Garcia Fund.
Finally, I’d like to update you on Hanson’s job search, which was last week’s topic. He has received two strong leads on potential employment and is in the process of checking them out.
Stay tuned.
Rick Badie, an Opinion columnist, is based in Gwinnett. Reach him at rbadie@ajc.com or 770-263-3875.
