R. David Shew
“Service Above Self” is the principal motto of Rotary International. In 1950 this motto was formerly adopted as the official motto at the Rotary International Convention in Detroit, Michigan. The motto perfectly encapsulates the unselfish, community-focused mission of Rotary’s 1.2 million global members.
Sleep In Heavenly Peace is a national nonprofit organization with a mission that no child should ever have to sleep on the floor, and all children deserve a safe, comfortable place to lay their heads.
For the last couple of years, the Richmond Rotary Club has supported the Richmond chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace with their mission of building beds for children in Madison and surrounding counties. Even at the past Christmas parade, Sleep in Heavenly Peace was the theme of the Richmond Rotary Club float.
Recently, a fellow Rotarian who we call Wilson, convinced me to participate in this project. In addition, most people who know me, know that I do not enjoy manual labor and am not much of a carpenter. Last but not least, I had to get up early on a Saturday morning and ride over to Athens with my friend to participate in this bed build endeavor.
The bright side of this whole ordeal is that several years ago, I had invited Kevin Thornsberry to speak to the Richmond Rotary Club about the mission of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Kevin and I met when we participated in the Leadership Madison County program.
Kevin and his wife, Cindy, started the Richmond chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace and were building beds for children out of their garage in the beginning. Today, they have found a barn on South Cleveland Road just off Athens Boonesboro Road which is perfect for their cause. Kevin and Cindy are Co-Presidents of the local Richmond chapter.
Last but not least, I must say that I learned how an electric sander works, and I got lost in the job. Two hours into the morning, Kevin tapped me on the shoulder and said that I should move to another location and give myself a break. I believe that I forgot to thank Kevin for his generosity. When I moved to the branding station, my hands shook for almost an hour from the vibration of the electric sander.
This drill took me back to my newspaper days when several of the circulation staff would stuff inserts in the newspaper before the paper was sent out for delivery.
