'None of us is as good as all of us': Knights of Columbus seek people who need help
Early one recent morning, a crew of seven men from the Knights of Columbus performed a miracle at our tiny home in Marstons Mills.
From the Knights of Columbus website:
“Knights recognize that our mission, and our faith in God, compels us to action. There is no better way to experience love and compassion than by helping those in need, a call we answer every day.”
Putting faith into action is epitomized by the Knights’ community outreach program called the Helping Hands, which they describe on their site as ― ordinary men working together to perform extraordinary deeds.
Let me back up and fill you in. Upon reading one of my Cape Cod Times columns, scores of Cape Codders emailed me offering to help my husband, Bob, and me with housework, home repairs, Stop & Shop trips, any errands at all, yard work and my cockamamie refrigerator that stops working three times a day, resulting in it spewing streams of water that cover my dog’s paws.
One couple that emailed me was Rosemary and Bill Shinnick. I’m embarrassed to tell you all that they do for us, because one thing is our laundry. You’ll understand why we can’t take care of chores like that ourselves in a minute. Among a million other things, they have installed outside lighting, made our home more handicapped accessible, and given us homemade meals.
Now, when I say meals, I’m talking more than the centerpiece; I’m talking salads, rolls, side dishes, special napkins, flower bouquets, and desserts, which ever-so-fortunately have included Rosemary’s famous cherry cheesecake. Best of all, though, have been armfuls ― really ― of Christmas presents. (The main reason I married Bob is so that I can get Easter candy and Christmas presents since he isn’t Jewish like I am.)
'Their faith fills every crevice of their hearts'
Bill took it upon himself to organize the Helping Hands event. He and Rosemary have what I think is termed a divine calling. They believe they are led by God. Their faith fills every crevice of their hearts, minds and souls. Neither would ever take any credit for their benevolent deeds. I’ll tell you; it’s hard to say, “Thank you,” to Bill and Rosemary. In their book, there’s no thanking them, there’s solely thanking God.
So, on that fine morning, Bill and his crew of Helping Hands proceeded (without me ever asking!) to metamorphosize our dishrag of a yard into a paradise.
Bill knows that physically, I’m incapable because of my spinal cord injury, financially we’re strapped, and mentally, Bob’s dementia renders him incapacitated. But Bill is a man who doesn’t dwell on misfortunes. I bet he’d consider that a big waste of time. Rather than dwell, he takes action. And never leaves a project undone.
I read a quote from an unknown author:
If a task is once begun,
Never leave it ‘til it’s done.
Be the labor great or small,
Do it well or not at all.
When I sent the quote to Rosemary, she replied, “That’s Bill’s motto!”
When Bill reads this column, I imagine he’ll say, “It’s not about me. All of my men are exemplary.” And he’d be right.
Before their 8 a.m. arrival, I had arranged for Dunkin’ Donuts to deliver a container of coffee the size of the Centerville water tower, as well as enough doughnuts for the population of Boston.
The group began the day with prayer. By afternoon, they had transformed my surroundings, which were covered with dead trees, brambles, bushes, brush, and plenty of poison ivy, resulting in making my house visible (seriously). You can see what I’m talking about in the “before” and “after” photos. I mean, you couldn’t have walked to our door without being accosted by years’ worth of overgrown foliage, sharp broken limbs, and thorny masses of vegetation.
Freeing the driveway, yard and beyond
You wouldn’t have even known where to park your car because our driveway was extinct, in that it was thoroughly clogged and covered with overrun wild green and brown heaven-knows-what. And our front “lawn” was more of an impenetrable dense forest than a lawn.
These humanitarians spent the hot, sticky, humid day with nary a thought of their own selves or comfort. Every single one gave their services with full hearts and extraordinary devotion. Each gentle soul radiated love. Strangers to me at first, but strangers no more.
How on earth could I possibly thank them? Well, with letters and cards and a big box of 24 Sara Lee carrot cakes of course. And my wish that folks might make a donation for the Helping Hands program to the Knights of Columbus Council at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville.
Local Knights looking for people to help
But the very, very, very best way for us to thank them came from Mr. Bill Shinnick himself, “What we really need are clients.” The Helping Hands program needs to hear from people in our community who are in need of their services. And not just for yardwork. How many times have you thrown your hands up in the air and thought, “I wish I knew someone to help me with this!” Well, now you do.
The number to call is: 508-775-4054. If even one person calls upon them, Bill’s mission will have been accomplished.
The men not only began their day with prayer, they ended their day with prayer. I doubt they were giving themselves a pat on the back. That would have gone to God.
From the Knights of Columbus website:
“None of us is as good as all of us. Members of the Knights of Columbus all know that ― together ― we can accomplish far more than any of us could individually.”
I thank you, my seven heroes. If only Bob could understand what happened that day in our very own little front yard, in our little village of Marstons Mills, he would thank you too.
I am honored. I am beholden. I am forever grateful.
Award-winning columnist, Saralee Perel, lives in Marstons Mills. She can be reached at sperel@saraleeperel.com or via Facebook. Her column runs on the first Friday of each month.
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Perel: Knights of Columbus use faith to move mountains of yard waste
