[Dialogue] Thanking one of Those Who Care

[Lela Jahn]

Hi everyone,
 
I am writing about an opportunity for each of you to say Thank You to one of Those Who Care still with us and able to appreciate your gesture. 
 
I do not remember if it was Joe Matthews or some late night workshop group during a summer research assembly who coined the phrase “Those Who Care.” Perhaps it was even another writer from whom the phrase was borrowed, it matters little. For me it has always been a profound description of the state of being of people one encounters around the world in every little community who just show up with a self-story that says no, it is not someone else’s responsibility to care for my community, it is mine.
 
Ron Griffith is one of Those Who Care that I have had the privilege of knowing for over 30 years.  I will not rehearse in this post Ron’s many contributions to the various communities he has taken responsibility for during his life, except to note the latest one has created a very meaningful way of honoring Ron and carrying on his legacy. His community of the Just Food Co-op in Northfield Minnesota has created the Ron Griffith Young Leaders Fund (RGYLF) whose purpose is training young leaders in the community. I have asked for Ron’s permission to post this message. 
 
As you know from Beret Griffith’s email last week, Ron is currently in hospice care for Pancreatic Cancer.  Don Bayer and I had a great three day visit with Ron last month and have spoken with him on the telephone several times since. His body is weak but his spirit is strong. 
 
The RGYLF was launched with an article in the Northfield News which appeared on Tuesday, February 10th http://www.northfieldnews.com/news.php?viewStory=47408    Word about the fund leaked out a few weeks ago and contributions have already crossed the $5,000 mark. The YMCA in Northfield is serving as the legal structure. Below is the information on where you can send a contribution. Making a monetary gift to honor someone while they are still here to appreciate your gesture and direct its use, is a very special opportunity in my view.
 
I invite you to give favorable consideration to making a donation in whatever amount is possible for you to the Ron Griffith Young Leaders Fund and in so doing, not only say Thank You to Ron Griffith for his life of caring, but also symbolically to all Those Who Care whom you have had the privilege of working with around the world.
 
Grace and Peace, 
 
Lela Jahn
  
RGYLF description and mission http://northfieldymca.org/ron-griffith 
 
YMCA contribution form http://northfieldymca.org/wp-content/uploads/ron-pledge-card-web1.pdf 





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