Who doesn't love stories like the one in today's paper about Bob Rogers?
The Duluthian wanted to donate 50 bicycles to the Salvation Army's Toyland Express this year after raising money and donating 12 of them a year ago. The News Tribune's Sam Cook wrote a column, and in the weeks that followed, folks started dropping by where Rogers works and started mailing him letters and cards to contribute to his effort. An estimated $6,100 were raised, Cook reports in today's follow-up. That's enough to provide 100 bicycles, doubling the number of merry Christmases Rogers had hoped to provide.
"It blows me away," Rogers said.
Us, too.
And who doesn't love stories like the one yesterday about Life House?
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A little more than a year ago, the Duluth nonprofit was in danger of closing its doors because of a lack of money and support, all the good it does for homeless and at-risk kids lost forever. But in the months since the Life House's plight made front-page news and led evening newscasts, donations increased 80 percent, with $252,000 collected since October 2008. The outpouring wiped out a $30,000 debt, replacing it with a bank balance and the ability to pay monthly bills on time.
"It's almost like a miracle," Anne Miller, chairwoman of the Life House board of directors, told News Tribune reporter Sarah Horner. "This community heard [Life House's] message with their hearts and they responded. It's been incredible."
The stories are reminders -- and only the latest -- that the Northland is, and long has been, a generous, giving and supportive place, the kind of community that doesn't hesitate when a neighbor is in need. We read the reminders and feel good about where we live and who we are.
But then we also read columns like the one Sunday about the United Way of Greater Duluth's annual campaign, and we're reminded of something else. The need remains great; there's always more that can be done. Giving is down about 20 percent compared to last year, United Way campaign co-chairs Steve Decatur and Pam Kramer reported.
"If we fall short of our fundraising goal, the repercussions will be extreme," they wrote. "We might have to dig deeper than ever before, but it has never meant so much to so many."
Will the Northland meet the challenge? Ask Bob Rogers and the kids at the Life House.
