Dear Member,

Several years ago, I took a trip to Oberammergau to see the "Passion Play."  This incredible performance takes place every 10 years in the village of Oberammergau, Germany. As it was told, "In 1633, the Oberammergau villagers promised to perform the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ every tenth year, in so far as no one was to die of the plague anymore. The villagers were answered by God and therefore in 1634 the first Passion Play took place. The promise has been kept until today."
 
It was an amazing experience that I can't possible put into words. However, the reason the memory of this trip came to mind was because the staff was brainstorming a new program and discussing the number of volunteers that would be needed and I recalled that the population of Oberammergau is 5,200 people. Out of those 5,200 people over 2000 participate in the play. That's about 39%  of the village. Take a few minutes to put that into context. That's a large percentage of the  population in your town, city, or county.  Can you imagine that type of involvement?   That's almost incomprehensible to most of us, isn't it?
 
Being a volunteer is a very personal thing to most of us because it is never about the money but  the fulfillment of being able to contribute in a way that feels worthwhile. There are so many valuable causes that it can be hard to figure out where you want to put your efforts. Maybe, you're at a point in your life where you have young children, so you volunteer at the school or with recreational sports; or  maybe you're a business owner who mentors a high schooler, or an animal lover who walks dogs at the local SPCA. Whatever the case might be or wherever you're at, your contribution can make a difference. So this Thanksgiving, enjoy family and friends and remember to have gratitude.
 
"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." Melody Beattie 
 
Work hard be productive and stay positive.
 
Peggy White
Executive Director 
Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce 
peggywhite@pulaskichamber.info