Someone to help
This entry is written by Carrie Kulinski, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Janesville.
Picture yourself driving down a busy Janesville street on your way home from work. You see a woman in a wheelchair struggling to cross the street because her wheels are stuck in the snow. You think to yourself, I should really pull over and help her…..then your thoughts turn to the time crunch you are in to get home to get your daughter to dance class. You think, I’m sure “someone” will help her…..I hope “someone” will help her, and drive on.
It was the end of the workday for me and my daughter had already sent me a text asking when I would be home. I came out of the building and saw the woman in the wheelchair struggling to cross the snowy street. It took me about 10 minutes of moving the chair and repositioning the woman but we got the chair free. I pushed her across the street and she said she could take it from there. I was happy to help, since my mother was in a wheelchair the last few years of her life and knew those chairs were not easy to push in ice and snow.
I posted the encounter on my Facebook page later that evening and received many comments from friends on what a good person I was. I was just doing the right thing. I was at the right place at the right time to help someone in need. That day I was that “someone” to help out.
As the Executive Director of a non-profit, I see what a caring community Janesville is. People come into the club every week bringing donations of snacks, books, games, time, services and money. Let’s face it: the club would not survive without the community support. All of our local nonprofits need community support. We all need that “someone” to help out.
I’m proud of this community, we always seem to pull together and help those in need. Sometimes we might need others to help out if we are not able to, that’s ok, because one day you will be at the right place at the right time and be that “somebody to help”.
The authors of this blog are employed by local non-profit organizations and not the Janesville Gazette. Their views are not necessarily those of Gazette management.
Jan 5, 2013 at 1:49 a.m.
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A simple thing that a lot of people need to do is just shovel (and salt!) their sidewalks. I would also add that it isn't enough to do just the sidewalks -- you need to clear the apron ramp out to the street of all those chunks of frozen snow and ice thrown by the plow.
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And if you think someone needs a reminder that this is their responsibility, don't be afraid to call the city (755-3110) and they will get a tag on their door telling them so, and if they don't do it then, well, the city does it and adds the cost to their tax bill.
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Since I've worked like a demon to get my walks cleared, I don't feel any compunctions about making sure others follow through!
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Finally, if you have a hydrant on your terrace, please dig it out. The home you save from fire may be your own!
Jan 5, 2013 at 12:58 a.m.
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You are right Beth- it was the right thing to do. If we look to always doing the thing that is right, we can never do the wrong thing- even if it doesn't always work out. Good job.
Jan 4, 2013 at 4:39 p.m.
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Carrie is an awesome person and has quite a bit of compassion for people. I applaud her with every milestone in her life.
Jan 4, 2013 at 3:31 p.m.
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Thats the difference between you and me Sigma, I'm not afraid of doing the right thing. Of all the right things I have done over the years, I have never been sued.I don't think about that before I reach out to lend a helping hand. Guess I think with my heart and not my wallet. And no regrets.
Jan 4, 2013 at 2:55 p.m.
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So many people are afraid to do the "right" thing anymore because you open yourself to a potential law suit. Certain public employees that used to help can no longer because of insurance policies. In some cases that people want to help they either cant or are afraid. Welcome to America....and what it has become.
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