FFCC had the opportunity to partner with Volunteer San Diego and the employees of Care Fusion, a medical device company in Carmel Valley, to package over 4,000 meals that will benefit our community and others overseas.  This was Care Fusion's third annual "Day of Caring".

One day, a number of team members hiked up into the foothills.  At one point we looked back toward the coast.  From that vantage point, Haiti is a beautiful island surrounded by the breathtaking expanse of the aqua colored Caribbean.  For a moment, one could forget what seems at best described as a poverty ridden country with a dysfunctional, possibly dispassionate, government.  Hope seems overcome by hardship.  

But, what one learns when going on a trip like we did, is that Haitians are a resilient people and, when one experiences life in Haiti at a personal level, heroes are many and hope is alive.  We saw it in the Haitian father who had been trapped under the wreckage of his collapsed home for 2 days after the earthquake - hopelessly watching his son, who was trapped with him, die.

The dad committed to do all he could for children of Haiti if he got out.  Today, with minimal funds he has about 20 beautiful orphans he lovingly cares for.  Examples like this are many and all are as wonderfully inspiring as this father who now looks at all abandoned Haitian children as his own.

We were so blessed to be on this trip with FFCC who knows that the real work and true joys are experienced at that personal level. They did such a wonderful job of connecting us each day with experiences that enriched our souls while we helped and laughed with families for whom we installed water filtration systems; while we played with beautiful orphan children who warmed our hearts; while we worked alongside Haitians building an orphanage to serve as a haven of hope in the future. 

According to www.serve.gov, family members who lost loved ones in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks sought a way to honor the sacrifice of those who were lost and those who responded to this tragedy.  By rallying Americans to participate in service and remembrance activities, they desired to honor those involved and rekindle the sense of national unity we had immediately after the attacks.  This informal act of remembrance began in 2002 and in 2009, September 11th was formally designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. 

FFCC would like to thank our volunteers for all the work you have done over the past several years.  San Diego's spirit of service is alive and well! We would like to encourage you to get involved in one of the many volunteer opportunities associated with the National Day of Service as a fitting tribute to those impacted by the tragic events ten years ago.

If you don't know of an organized volunteer effort, do something on your own!  For instance,

• Stop by your local police or fire department and bring them some treats.
• Buy lunch for an enlisted person or veteran, or write thank you notes to one of these groups.
• Help an elderly neighbor with chores, wash your neighbor's car, etc.

The opportunities are countless.  If you do go out and serve on Sunday, please write us and let us know about your experience. Drop a note to Tina Socha @ Tina.Socha@san.rr.com.

Also on Sunday, at 10AM, there will be a moment of silence in memory of those lost ten years ago.  Let's join in that time of remembrance with our fellow Americans.

Thanks and God Bless America!