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Posted on June 09, 2011 09:14
Community Connections
Living With The Predictable
By Pam Kettering
Yankton Area United Way
Published: Wednesday, June 8, 2011 10:46 PM CDT
Living in Yankton day to day can be quite predictable. In the winter, we expect there will be snow to shovel. In the spring, we plan and proceed to plant gardens, mow lawns, have picnics, fish in the lake or down the river and either drift into the heat of summer or leap quickly into the hot, humid days. We know fall is close behind after celebrating Riverboat Days, kids returning to school and regular routines once again set in place. The seasons are unpredictably predictable. We know we will have the four seasons. We do not know when they will start and evolve into the next season. It is the same situation with events.
We knew that Yankton was approaching its 150th birthday. Planning the event started long ago by a committed group of people to acknowledge the event. The Yankton Sesquicentennial Celebration was enjoyed by thousands due to the participation of the community. It was a historical event, as was the 125th celebration and 100th celebration - - all very predictable observances.
The very recent 150th historical event had an additional addendum creating much angst and urgency to the community. The forecasts of flooding were imminent and very unpredictable. Not since 1881 has water adversely impacted its presence on its residents, especially those people living on its once predictable flow. Mother Nature may have thrown up an unpredictable curve; however, the assault has been greeted with an army of volunteers.
The citizens of Yankton and the surrounding communities are VERY predictable! When a need is made known, people answer the call. This response for community service is HISTORIC! After the Flood of 1881 the residents “…resolutely turned to the job of rebuilding and cleaning up the mess.” - as stated in Bob Karolevitz’s Yankton: The Way It Was!
The historic values of the people of this community have not changed. The call for people to fill sandbags and assist people to evacuate their homes was made. Caring citizens responded in droves to help those in need. The anticipation of rising water and now the reality of its power and might have volunteers of all ages discovered idle muscles, the value of teamwork, the motivation to reach an urgent goal and the realization that it is critical for citizens to get involved.
The quality of life we enjoy is substantially due to the blood, sweat and tears of concerned caring citizens who answer the call of duty. Take just a moment and consider all of the events, youth activities, interest groups, non-profit organizations, churches, committees, planning groups, walks and runs, tournaments, and the list goes on and on.
There are opportunities available for many skills and passions. The on-going need for people to assist with the invading water continues. Caring people are needed to accomplish the various missions of the numerous non-profit agencies in the greater Yankton area via serving on the Board of Directors. Sports groups need coaches, equipment organizers, side-line support. Web pages need to be created or updated. Riverboat Days need volunteers to keep the event running like a well-oiled machine.
Want to find out what is available? Contact the United Way & Volunteer Services to assist you in connecting with the opportunity to match your interests and time. Email is volunserve@iw.net, phone is 665-6766, website is yanktonunitedway.org. Become immersed in helping others. We live in historic times and continue to make history – step forward and add your imprint to the future. Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
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