David L.
Ben Franklin: “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt, they have more need of masters.”
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of Charles
Sent: Friday, January 02, 2004 1:06 PM
To: 'The Sandbox Discussion List'
Subject: [Sndbox] News on RonLocal man returns holiday kindness11:06 PM MST on Thursday, January 1, 2004
Holidays don't mean vacations for people in need or the folks who want to help them. Ron Burling of Nampa knows that all too well. Once on the receiving end of that kindness, he is now returning the favor, and sharing his good fortune with the homeless community.
As a former homeless man, Ron’s life was definitely touched by volunteers. Now a student at Boise State University, Ron is taking a class that gives him credit for doing what he wants to do anyway, serving at the Nampa Lighthouse Mission. Today, he spent the first of the year behind the lunch counter.
“It's New Year's Day and I'm not home watching a football game or a parade,” Burling said. “It's a fun thing.”
Even though volunteering started out as a class requirement for Ron, the importance of serving the homeless community is a lesson he learned in life.
“I've been homeless,” said Burling. “My 12-year-old son and I are graduates of the Salvation Army interim shelter project.”
Tammie Alejandro with the Boise Rescue Mission said students like Ron come in and volunteer at the Lighthouse Mission for class credit, but leave with a solid education.
“When you have someone that can come in with his background and can be face to face with someone in a tough situation, that makes all the difference,” Alejandro said. “By the time they're done with whatever they need to do, there's a change in them.”
Ron Burling’s holiday experience in service at the lighthouse mission will help him share his success.
“I actually at the end of this would like to work with the homeless community,” said Burling. “I will probably try to drop in here from time to time,” he added.
Charles Mims
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