Volunteering

Yesterday I went with 6 others to the old auditorium to help with a Hands on Birmingham - http://handsonbirmingham.org - event. You can read about it here: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/04/hundreds_of_homeless_in_birmin.html

Our team was 4 employees and 3 non-employees of the new Baritones Karaoke Lounge and Grill - http://www.baritonesgrill.com/ - a couple of blocks from my house. The owner is Jason, the cute guy in the middle. He had put a sign on the door that Baritones wouldn't open until 5 yesterday afternoon. The blond is Betty, the waitress with her husband Mike behind her. Tony and Jack are the 2 tall guys who are the cooks. Dena, next to me, is Jack's sister.

It was interesting. I had 2 clients for which were I was unable to get much help. Dena had one nice one but was unable to get much help. Betty had one who she said was the client from hell. I'm not sure about what all the guys did.

We all rode in Mike and Betty's SUV and were at the auditorium about 11 - 3:45, then Jason was kind enough to let Dena and me eat without paying (though Tony still had to cook it).

The group picture was made just before we headed home. It's hard to take a self-picture. I put the shirt on backwards after I got home, to show it. The lower line says VOLUNTEER TEAM.

When a Christian Dies

This was posted yesterday on the Legacy on-line guest book for preacher Barney Keith, who passed from this life recently. I didn't know him well, but he seemed to be such a "gentle" man. I am omitting the writer's name, but what the person wrote was so lovely that I think it's worth sharing.

"I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Keith, if only for a short time, as his mail carrier. Though our acquaintance was an informal one, I'll appreciate him for his warmth and his smile. I knew he must have been special to many as I've never delivered so many cards of condolences to a single address in my entire 15 year career. I should have known he was a man of God. Please accept my condolences as well."