The Canyon Creek Chronicle
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Echoes From The Canyon
We hosted a Food Drive. And Hunger visited. As a follow-up to the immensely successful Canyon Creek Food Drive at II Creeks (Thank you Neighbors), the good folks at United Disciples Christian Church locked together with a solidarity of purpose and conducted their own. The CEO of the Network, Cindy Shafer, joined in the very successful effort. We witnessed a phenomenon she had never experienced in thirty years of serving the homeless and hungry. Eleven carloads of people came through the Food Drive, not to donate but to receive. Food that had only moments ago been donated was turned right around and given away. Neighbors received it in a very emotional manner. It was emblematic of the times we are facing and that which occurred was merely the tip of the iceberg. For the eleven cars that saw the Food Drive f lier and made the trip, how many more are there? Twenty-Five times more? One Hundred? More than at any time, this is a time period where we are called to nourish the people in the shadows both calorically and emotionally. If you can help, help. People through no fault or behavior of their own are suffering in silence and will benefit greatly if others perceive the need early instead of reacting when it is sadly obvious. Since life makes it patently obvious that the Capital Letter “WHY” of adversity is well-above our humble pay grade, it is incumbent that we assign lower-case “why’s” to events out of our control. Many have embraced this event as an option to spend more time outdoors and to exercise. Others have experienced a greater bonding with their family (despite possible and hypothetical irritational f lare-ups). Remember this as a remarkably creative time of meme manufacture. Moving forward, we simply must alter our mind-set from a supply chain perspective, wrest back control and begin producing domestically items of strategic importance. It is folly to outsource for the pure sake of cost items such as medicine, vaccinations, surgical equipment, the food supply, military equipment and the ability to place a satellite into orbit. Recently, I spent an hour online attempting to order a Made in the USA weather radio. And failed. I would have paid more to see those words printed on it but one was simply not available. Does anyone remember Wal-Mart of the late-80’s? It was festooned with American f lags and Made in the USA labels and stickers. I’m feeling mighty nostalgic for a reality that can happen again should we choose it. In past issues of Echoes From the Canyon, I have frequently commented on how much power we possess when we direct 20
our engagement locally. This time is no exception. We simply need to take heed of where the items we purchase are manufactured and to make choices based on it. Three hundred and thirty million Americans choosing to invest back in America by purchasing things made with American hands is a world-changing collective statement. Changing gears, please walk, run or ride your bike to Prairie Creek Park to see the tribute boulder to the late Dr. James Carter. He loved the Earth and teaching others about it. Thank you to the City of Richardson Parks Department for making it happen and Thank you to our neighbor and Richardson Police Department Volunteer Coordinator, Meredith Watkins for the idea. We will do a more formal unveiling when all this is hopefully behind us. If you can afford to tip heavily at our restaurants, do so. If you can spend locally, do so. All of us need to continue do the little things. Three hundred thirty million Americans doing little things is a gargantuan thing. And we will win. Until then, Richardson Strong! #In This Together Warren Caldwell President – Canyon Creek Homeowner’s Association warren@homesnorthtexas.com 972-814-0400
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