Finding the Helpers in Baltimore

In watching the news of Baltimore, I was reminded of Mister Rogers. You’ve likely heard of his mother telling him what to do when looking at a tragic situation:

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.

Baltimore has its fair share of helpers, of people making a difference in the community. So, while we know that there are terrible things happening, let’s look at some of the good, too.

In the wake of the riots, members of the community met up to get to work on cleaning up the chaos left behind. One Facebook event page said “Let’s get together and help affected communities/businesses remove debris. Bring heavy duty trash bags, gloves, brooms, dust pans, trash cans, containers and anything else that would help. We’ll have a van ready to take trash to the drop-off center in Remington.”

They also asked that people in need of supplies to buy them at Belle Hardware, a local business damaged in the upheaval. Caring community members are already commenting with offers to come again the next day.

Twitter also highlighted a community coming together.

Church volunteers helping to clean up a badly damaged Monument Street in Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/HFnr1tz0J9

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 28, 2015

#WJZ NOW: Baltimore community, many ages and races, joining as one to clean-up. @cbsbaltimore pic.twitter.com/GJihmfahxd

— Marcus Washington (@MarcusNBC) April 28, 2015

https://twitter.com/sjnovak1116/status/593082414680899584

Baltimore volunteers clean up 'Comeback City' after yesterday's violence https://t.co/kIsFxNbwOj pic.twitter.com/PM6Lww3EVu

— Newser (@Newser) April 28, 2015

In the midst of the chaos, remember the good.