Guest editorial: Convoy bringing hope to many here
The Tri-Cities is known in the Evergreen State as a great place to live, play and work. What better, bolder and brighter place is there to raise families? In addition to having expanding business and educational opportunities, we’ve got great weather, rivers, recreational opportunities and a reputation as one of Washington’s better, bolder and brighter places.
The Gesa Carousel of Dreams, the Playground of Dreams, Columbia Park with its Family Fishing Pond and River of Fire Festival, the Reach Interpretive Center, Three Rivers Convention Center, TRAC in Pasco, and Water Follies evidence our best stuff.
But the Tri-Cities has another important asset that sets us apart. We are a community that gives when needs arise. Service organizations abound — from Habitat for Humanity to charitable groups like ARC of Tri-Cities and Columbia Industries and organized volunteerism through Battelle and service clubs. We’ve proven that we really care about our neighbors.
Convoy of Hope, which is coming to the Tri-Cities on Aug. 13 at Columbia Park in Kennewick, has, as of this writting, 97 local participating organizations and businesses, 47 churches and more than 1,200 volunteers. That one day will see 35 tons of groceries given away, some 8,000 meals served, more than 3,500 school back packs handed out, hundreds of pairs of shoes distributed, with family portraits, haircuts, counseling services, health and dental screenings, guidance for veterans, housing and jobs assistance, and more offered to people who request it.
Anyone can come. No identification is needed. Free means free, including the lunch.
Convoy of Hope is the largest public assistance event to be offered in the Tri-Cities. Last year 5,800 people benefited. This year will be even bigger. And all of it is from the people who live and work here. This is not government assistance. It is from the heart of a Tri-Cities that is building a better community by reaching out to its residents who have unmet needs.
Convoy of Hope is a charitable, faith-based organization based in Missouri that has a passion for feeding people around the nation and the world. Need has no geographical boundary.
The Tri-Cities abounds in great assets and we enjoy the fruits of our labors, but we also want to be known as a community that cares. Convoy of Hope is that opportunity to volunteer or contribute. For more information, go to www.convoyofhope.org/ outreach/tri-cities .
John Trumbo is a volunteer member of the Convoy of Home organizational team, a member of the Kennewick City Council and former reporter for the Tri-City Herald more than 12 years.
This story was originally published August 7, 2016 at 4:14 AM with the headline "Guest editorial: Convoy bringing hope to many here."