I don't ever speak of the many activist groups I belong to here, because I never really have the need to do so, and I don't do it to brag about it or for recognition. I think I have mentioned in the past, my work with a local homeless shelter around the holidays, but there are several other things I do in my community, because I believe we are obligated as citizens to help others.
A few years back, me and some friends began a project that has become very successful, and I am hoping by sharing it here, maybe it will catch on elsewhere, and make a difference in other areas, as it has in ours. This started out with five of us, but I think our group now numbers in the teens, and there is at least one other group who is doing this. On New Year's Eve, we provide a "designated driver" service, free of charge, for every local establishment which serves alcoholic libations in celebration of of the event.
Now, this is something a lot of cab companies have also started doing, but in Birmingham, they are very unreliable and haven't been able to meet the demand. We're able to handle this through our cell phones, and by each of us covering a specific 'area' of town. We have a central coordinator, who keeps track of where everyone is at, and can dispatch between areas if needed... this came about after the first year, when we saw a need to have this. Basically, we get a call from the bartender, we go and pick up the drunks and take them home. This, sometimes, is quite a challenge in itself, people have lost keys, they want to keep partying somewhere else, can't remember exactly where they live, or post-celebratory depression begins to set in, and you have to deal with a depressed drunk, or the 'proud' drunk who suddenly becomes offended you are providing this service to them out of the kindness of your heart. But most of the time, things go rather smoothly, the people are just thankful and polite, and it is a gratifying experience to know you did something that could have saved a life.
To me, this is "activism" ...when you take control of the situation, get off your ass, and actually go out there in the world, and make a difference. It's what we all need to get back to again, as a society! We should stop this tendency to rely on the government or others, to handle the problems we have, and find ways to involve ourselves, our time and energy, in some meaningful way. Make it your New Year's resolution, to find something... doesn't matter what it is... but something you can do to help your fellow man, in 2011. There are LOTS of good ideas of how to do that, and it all starts right here and now, making the conscious choice that this is something you will do.
Make a difference!
