A couple of days ago, nom de plume posted a
diary letting people know how they can help the Amish families who have incurred huge medical expenses as a result of the
recent shootings. Many people commented and likely donated, but I wanted to bring this to people's attention once again.
You can donate to Mennonite Disaster Service online, by phone, or by check.
The Amish believe in self-sufficiency, so they do not have health insurance, do not pay (or collect) Social Security or any other type of public assistance. Five girls are dead, and five are in the hospital; one is expected to be taken off life support.
The Amish do not think it is right to ever ask for money, and won't do so. So I am asking for them: Please give what you can: $10? $20? $50? more?
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Let me remind you, here at dkos, we have donated to political campaigns, to help people when a drunk driver runs a car through his house, to an inner-city school needing funding for a summer program for its children. For Katrina. For the tsunami. We have come together -- as a community.
This week, this display of forgiveness by the Amish community to the shooter's family was not a huge deal for them as it was for the rest of us "English." They are people of solid faith who do not believe in anger, and are pacifists. They believe in forgiveness.
They even went to the shooter's funeral and have requested that out of the money that is received, some should go to a fund for the shooter's wife and her children. This week should be an example for all of our leaders all around the world.
The world is what we make it. We can lash out and cause more pain, or we can help others who are also in pain to move on. Out of insanity, sanity and order.
Again, you can donate to Mennonite Disaster Service.