Making a difference, making a change
Editorial

As the saying goes, 'tis better to give than to receive.

As a group of locals discovered when they recently traveled to Haiti to help the men, women and children there, thinking of others and improving someone's life, even in the littlest way, can be rewarding for the soul.

But a person doesn't have to leave the country to help others and in return, feel good about themselves. Right here in Westminster and Ashburnham there are plenty of nonprofit organizations trying to make a difference every day. Whether you take their cause under your wing and help them soar to even greater heights of success or you simply make donations and volunteer your time, any help is better than no help at all.

There are community groups and organizations for every need in the area like better housing, hunger, and human rights. Organizations like the Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the Blue Star Mothers and ARC of Massachusetts are all regional groups that could use more public support to help them help others.

And more and more people are being recognized for the work they've been doing to improve their communities.

Recently, the Community Builders, a partnership between United Way, Mount Wachusett Community College and Ashoka, recognized Susan Roser of Ashburnham, for her work on the board of directors for the Charitable Foundation of the North Central Massachusetts Association of Realtors (NCMAR) and as a business partner for a non-profit group formed to provide a variety of services to the community. The Community Builders also recently honored 25 different volunteers from North Central Massachusetts for their work on various projects focused on improving the community including Kim Caisse of Ashburnham, Steven E. Slocum of Ashburnham and Evelyn Giammalvo of Westminster.

Making a difference means making a change, in your life as well as others. It is up to the individual what kind of change that will be. Whether a person decides to think of their local community or the global community, everyone's part in the fight to make society safer, healthier, happier and more successful is important.

Start now, start local, pick up the phone and get involved. This is our world and it is what we make of it.