When we were going to move to Fresno from San Diego, we discovered Fresno was the butt of many jokes. It was too hot here, everyone’s brains were roasted. Pesticides made everyone mental etc. etc. We chose to move here despite that and focused on the positives-- Fresno was the only county at the base of 3 national parks, it was affordable, the population was ethnically diverse and we would enjoy a stronger sense of community. For some reason, unlike Toronto where I spent most of my life, Fresno doesn’t celebrate its ethnic diversity and we are lacking a strong sense of community. In the last few years with the American Dream of owning a home being shattered for so many with foreclosures and job losses, we see the Pass it On billboards. You know the ones that say Susan Boyle She dreamed a dream, live your dreams - pass it on. That message infuriates me a little bit. Why tout someone from a different country as a hero when we have so many local ones here.
Some people may define heroism as different things but the Bible says that he that is faithful in little is faithful also in much. If you act in a heroic way in little things, when you get the opportunity to do something big, I believe you will. Today I want to recognize the many local heroes that make Fresno my home of choice. I hope that whether you moved here or whether you were born here, you too can reflect on why we can celebrate the place we live in and the people we live with.
I want to laud the owner of Latino Market in Fresno who stocks fresh fruits and veggies so residents have access to healthy food. The pediatrician who teaches the importance of nursing as the vital first step to long term heatlh. The seventh and eighth graders who started Stay Alive, Stay Healthy. Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program and the Fresno County Health Department workers like Edie Jessup, Rosemarie Amarral and Reyna Villalobos who work diligently to make farm stands at schools possible and teach farmers how to start farmers markets etc. We sold $15 in produce at Jane Adams Elementary but I want to laud our two volunteers who made sure people had access to healthy food and donated their wages to the I am Grateful fund that enables people to purchase up to $5 worth of produce at our store. Cindy Kilgour and her husband who officially started the fund and want to start a gleaning association. The people who donated money so we can pay the studio fees to start "Making Love in the Kitchen" on t.v. in March. The community gardeners who pick up our compost daily. The folks who wake up at night to take care of sick children. The foster parents who lovingly raise our future, our children. The single parents who sacrifice their own needs trying to be mom and dad for their children. The parents who stick to their vows and make their family a stable environment for their children. The single people who assist others by donating some time for worthwhile ventures. The farmers who grow food sustainably considering their communities health. The Walking School Bus volunteers. The parents who garden at home or at a community garden with their kids. The people with chronic sickness who educate themselves on their disease and make healthy choices. Cancer patients who smile because they’re doing what they can to ensure they get rid of the disease now and to make sure it doesn’t return.
To all teachers at public and private schools, at home schools and everyone on the planet because we can all teach others how to fill our two most basic needs - the need to be loved and our need for healthy food. Whether you are healthy or sick, happy or sad, may we all consider how we can revive physically and emotionally in Fresno, our home community. May that be our dream - pass it on.
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