CNN:Heroes

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (CNN) — If Russell Jackson has his way, any child who needs medical care but lacks the transportation to get there will have a safe and reliable alternative.

Recently, thanks in part to the unbelievable weather blasting this planet, from one corner to another, I have started to take a closer look at just how much community involvement the average person takes part in.  More importantly, just what community issues I am involved in.  With over $1 Billion in damaged and or lost property in my city alone as of this last month, I have been overwhelmed with a need to help.  To be more active and productive in the big picture here.  I don’t have much.. no car, living with friends/extended family.  I have a decent job, but can’t seem to get much money saved, at least not in a quick manner.  I have chronic asthma, had a heart attack last year.. so working around excessive levels of mold and feces “dust” is not really an option for me if I enjoy taking a normal breath …. ever.  And I do.  So, with health issues keeping me from proving some aspects beck to my community, I am looking for other long-term options.  And then I came across this article about Mr, Russell Jackson.  This man quit his job as a fireman in order to start up a non-profit group dedicated to providing transportation for kids in Alabama with medical needs.  WHAT!?!

… Jackson is so determined that in 1997 he gave up his career as an Alabama firefighter, moved in with friends and dug into his retirement account to start Kid One Transport, a nonprofit organization that provides rides for needy children in his home state.

In 11 years, Kid One’s fleet of vans has ferried more than 16,000 kids to and from scheduled medical-related appointments all over Alabama

Amazing.  How fulfilling and wonderful.  I think it should almost be required for people to take some sort of training, to become educated in the benefits and more importantly the need for communities to come together via individual sacrifice.  To quite your job, and one so admirable and needed as a firefighter, in order to help a greater need.. to serve a greater good…. that is amazing.  May God bless me with such insight and caring.  May He bless all of us with some of that.  Could make for a better world, wouldn’t you agree?