By Merrie Spaeth, KERA 90.1 commentator
Dallas, TX – We've all heard of grass roots politics? That is, the power of the individual. Well, welcome to grass roots charity - how little amounts of money can help and how a few people decided to help other individuals, one at a time.
First, when you get your water and electric bills, you may overlook the line which says "Energy Aid Pledge" or "Operation WaterShare."
I've always added a few dollars a month on my electric and water bills, and I finally decided it was time to learn more about these programs. Operation WaterShare is sponsored by the Dallas Water Utility to help families avoid homelessness. Energy Aid is run by TXU for similar purposes. For families which fall into what the sociologists call "the working poor" - if a wage earner loses a job or family member gets sick, the utility bills get pushed aside. Energy Aid and WaterShare helps these families pay these temporary bills.
Families generally need only a month or two of help. This is not a permanent dole.
There are a couple of things that I like about these programs. First, the money comes from individuals who add a dollar or two a month. And all of the money goes to help other individual families. It's sort of the very inexpensive and time-efficient version of Habitat For Humanity. Maybe I can't build a whole house, but I can help keep the water running and lights on.
Operation WaterShare seems to do a better job communicating with donors than Energy Aid. I got a card which let me know that 489 Dallasites contributed $15,883 to help pay water bills. Now, we could use more than 489 Dallasites. Both these programs are very low key. No pressure. These are the very opposite of those phone calls I get - from worth organizations - not those fake police groups. But one can overdo the low profile thing. I think Dallasites just overlook the opportunity.
The other example of grass roots charity involves car repair. Yup. Car repair? Dallas is a car-based city and many single moms and elderly people need a basic car to get around, get to work, get to the doctor, pick up a child at day care. When those cars break down, it's expensive. Enter the First Baptist Church of The Colony, where a few men saw a need for people in their own community and just started doing basic car maintenance - check fluids, belts, hoses, brakes, change oil, take a nail out of a tire - for free! The Mimosa Baptist Church in Mesquite heard about it and started in their area. Now churches in Garland, Decatur and San Antonio have been up to see how it's organized. All without any fanfare. No charge. Strictly honor system for the "customers," who naturally think it's a "godsend." No pun intended.
For all of us who wonder what can one person do, the answer is "something." And if you don't know how to change oil, you can certainly add a dollar on your own water or electric bill. This is real "people power." I'm Merrie Spaeth.
Merrie Spaeth is a communications specialist in Dallas.