Special thanks to Mayor Brainard and all the great folks of the Carmel area involved in this year's "Faith, Hope & Love Week"... helping neighbors in a joint effort to bridge the social, economic, and spiritual gap in our community.
Below are some comments from Mayor Brainard...
QUESTION – WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO PROCLAIM JULY 30 AS FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE DAY LAST YEAR?
ANSWER - I felt it was important to proclaim July 30th as Faith, Hope and Love Day in the City of Carmel because I believe very deeply in the mission of the Faith, Hope and Love organization. At this time of war, I think it is especially important that community members’ come together for a common goal, to serve one another in Faith, Hope and Love.
QUESTION – AS MAYOR OF CARMEL, WHAT ABOUT FHL APPEALS TO YOU MOST?
ANSWER – What appeals to me most about FHL is that it includes other community organizations in carrying out its mission. FHL matches different organizations with volunteer opportunities according to the needs of the community. This eliminates any feelings of competition or resentment because everyone is invited to be a part of the Faith, Hope and Love activities.
QUESTION - IN YOUR OPINION, HOW IS FHL DIFFERENT FROM OTHER COMMUNITY MINDED ORGANIZATIONS?
ANSWER – FHL is different from other community organizations in that it “seeks to break down man’s walls of separation between churches, races, social status, government and education to unite people to show the compassion we were all created to give on another.” I am not aware of any other community organization with such an all-encompassing mission statement. FHL truly aspires to include all.
QUESTION - HOW DO YOU SEE FHL HAVING AN IMPACT ON THIS COMMUNITY AND THE SURROUNDING CITIES?
ANSWER – FHL provides an outlet for community members to work first-hand to assist others in the community. I think it will be very positive not only for those receiving the assistance but also for those volunteering for the effort. I think people will walk away feeling more a part of the community-at-large after seeing the results of their efforts.
QUESTION - WHY SHOULD AVERAGE CITIZENS GET INVOLVED IN FHL WEEK ACTIVITIES?
ANSWER – Citizens should get involved in FHL activities because it is an opportunity for them to give back to their community in a positive way. We are a spectator society in that we are so accustomed to electronic media that we often take a back seat in the actual workings of the community. This is a chance to be a part of something larger than oneself and experience the benefits first-hand.
QUESTION - WHAT IS THE INCENTIVE FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIANA TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THIS TYPE OF PROJECT? AND IS IT APPROPRIATE?
ANSWER – Government and social service organizations can only do so much with the available resources to help those in need in the community. By making the community aware of the FHL mission, it encourages people to become more involved by volunteering their own talents.
QUESTION - WHAT ABOUT CORPORATE ENTITIES AND THEIR INVOLVEMENT… HOW DO YOU SEE THE CITY BENEFITING FROM THEIR INVOLVEMENT?
ANSWER – The involvement of corporate entities in Faith, Hope and Love Day benefits both the corporation as well as the community they are located. It gives them a positive attitude toward their work and how it affects the community. It also encourages its employees to become involved in their free time.
QUESTION - HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE CITIZENS OF CARMEL SUPPORTED AND HELPED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF FHL?
ANSWER – I would like to see the citizens of Carmel continue to seek out opportunities to help others in the mission of Faith, Hope and Love. It is good for all of us to step outside our daily routine and realize that there are many people in need around us at all times. It is a shame that it takes a day dedicated to this for people to take notice but it is a start. Once people start to recognize the needs of others in the community, I think they will find themselves becoming more involved on a regular basis. I believe that the participants will receive far more than they give.
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Visit FHLcommunity.org and see how YOU can be involved this week. The local coordinator for the Carmel area is Paul Backer, Carmel Christian Church. 317/846-1230
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