Sunny Service

not everyone has a job
not everyone has a home
not everyone has food
and so many are all alone

while many have their pay
while many have their house
while many have their dinner
some must go without

I am the hungry
the tired, the cold
I am the disabled
the lonesome, the old
I am the child
no home, no care
Who do we turn to
when life isn't fair?

We are the people
the able, the willing
when life is a wreck
you'll find us rebuilding
We are the helpers
our cheers will be heard
as we tend to these homeless
because we live to serve
To give is our project
We won't stand idly by
We love to serve
WE ARE CKI

_______________________________________________

I was going through my list of what I was thankful for this year. I have a home, a loving family, awesome friends, a good education, financial stability...all I could ever need and want. Then, I had some serious reflection. Last week was homelessness awareness week. I had participated in an event called Shanty Town, in which students voluntarily slept in cardboard boxes overnight on campus to simulate what it is like to be homeless. In short, IT SUCKED!!! The grassy field we slept in was wet, so the cardboard was soggy and cold halfway through the night. It was the coldest night to date this year as well, and the night dragged on as I tossed and turned in an uncomfortable makeshift hovel. We were even allowed to cheat, as we shared cups of hot tomato soup and hot cocoa throughout the night.

Imagine having to go through that every night, but worse. Where would your breakfast come from? Where would you sleep the next night? Would you have to run from the authorities again? How can I stop living a life like this? And most of the time, you would be alone.

Every night.

I am truly grateful for what I have, and I feel that I can give a little bit more. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving - we are all stuffed and preparing to go shopping. But let's not forget to put the "give" back in Thanksgiving. There are plenty of people out there who need the necessities.

You're probably going to go out clothes shopping. With all those deals, I don't blame you. Maybe you could buy an extra shirt and donate it to a homeless shelter, or donate your gently used clothes. Seriously, you don't need that many skinny T's.

Or maybe you could not buy those hip new sunglasses? Have you ever thought that guys actually want to see your pretty face? Put that money toward purchasing a pair of socks for a homeless youth center instead.

Just a couple ideas people. Keep your less fortunate in neighbor in mind this holiday season and give them something to be thankful for too!


~Ryan Max Ocampo