Mission In My Words
My high school basketball coach used that phrase when talking about the eight seniors he benched (I was one of them) to play more talented underclassmen. It was his first year and he wanted to keep the upperclassmen engaged while rebuilding the program. A year later my school had its best season ever. I watched from a distance but knew I had, in a small way, helped the program achieve success.
Nashville Rescue Mission has an incredible base. For nearly 60 years, it has been helping the homeless, the hungry and the hurting. Nashvillians of every socioeconomic group have banded together for generations to offer hope and resources for those going through difficult times.
While members of the media, like me, are exposed to the Mission during the holidays serving meals, I’m reminded they never close
their doors. Ever. The Mission
is open 24/7/365, serving three meals a day. Who’s serving meals when the bright lights of local TV cameras aren’t there? You are. Your neighbors are.
Volunteers are the base of the Mission, and the need for a wider foundation has never been greater. If you have volunteered, that’s great. Keep doing it. If you haven’t, do yourself a favor and step inside for a while. You will be amazed by the passion, support and love exuded from the staff and volunteers. While not everyone can write a check, you and your family can continue to make the Mission a beacon of hope by simply volunteering.
Winter in Nashville can and will be cold and ugly at times. Many of your fellow Nashvillians will need a place to put their head down. Eat a warm meal. Step up and be the one to serve them. That perspective will be the best present you could ever give your children, your spouse, even yourself.
To those who have given money, time and effort to the Mission, thank you. You continue to make a difference in ways hard to imagine. But let’s make that base wider. Consider volunteering now. Let’s make Nashville Rescue Mission’s pyramid touch the heavens.
John Dwyer, News-2 Anchor/Reporter Dwyer is in his 18th year at News-2 and has performed nearly every task there except sort the mail. You can currently see him Sunday through Thursday on the afternoon and evening newscasts.
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