In the wake of the Newtown tragedy, one of the few things I’ve read that has brought any solace at all is this widely-shared quote attributed to Mister Rogers:
“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.”
Sound advice that sent me looking for the helpers among Work Stew’s contributors. Until I get back into the swing of profiling new people, these service-oriented sorts seem like the right ones to highlight on the homepage:
- ACLU attorney Ben Wizner
- Foster parent and writer Carolyn Nash
- New York firefighter Christine O’Connor
- High school math teacher Jane Viau
- Gorilla caretaker John Safkow
- City Fruit founder Nancy Gohring
- Advocate for people with disabilities Pamela Arturi
- Pediatrician Peter Morningstar
- Soldier Rhino
- Bomb squad technician Robert Conroy
- Certified mediator Tom Melancon
Photo credit: 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting, original source unknown.
Work Stew 
When I was a boy, I dreamed of being a fireman. Let’s just say, it didn’t work out. I think that a majority of people want to be helpers, but life circumstances being what they are, many don’t end up there. They end up doing what they can, in their soulless office buildings or monotonous tasks, to get by. I applaud those in the helping professions. But we don’t all have the same calling.
I see a trend. Banana bread last week and zucchini bread this week. I think you relaly like making breads and are waiting for the ingredients to get old enough. 🙂 I made banana bread last week with ripe bananas and put chocolate chips in it. Boy, was it good.
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[…] take my eyes off the news to focus on anything else. And yet, so many other people—including the helpers—are working flat out right now. My thoughts are with them and all of the people affected by […]
[…] I can’t take my eyes off the news to focus on anything else. And yet, so many others—including the helpers—are working flat out right now. My thoughts are with them and the many, many people they are […]