Dan Rogers-Modesto Six Blog
There have only been two full days in this new year, and already the mind boggles. On New Year’s night, two Modesto firefighters were injured and our community responded. Someone I am proud to call a friend, Trinity Balmonte took it upon herself to make some get well cards for the fallen heroes and deliver them to firehouse #5 on Briggsmore & McHenry. She also reached out to her twitter network to get the word out that these men needed to know they are loved for the sacrifice they make every single day they go to work.
Many, many people responded, and many children made colorful get well cards and trinity went out to a local SaveMart to pick up cards from others in the community. Cost: zero dollars. That is what it is about. Doing things to say thank you for our community protectors, getting out and engaging the people of our city. Trinity knows this. She is becoming a powerful force in our community, and she is only getting stronger. She already runs a dog rescue that she operates at a loss at times so that hundreds of dogs have a second chance at a respectable life. She is awesome, and a person with whom I will be enjoying working with in the years to come.
Another person with whom I am lucky to be associated with is Carlos Rodriguez of CVRTVNews, also know as Central Valley Report. If you don’t already know of Carlos and his amazing twitter feed, he basically monitors all polices and safety scanner traffic along with other information vital to the community. He is an amazing source of information on a daily basis, and is someone who can be counted on in the clutch for vital information in a crisis.
Carlos not only tweets what goes on in the city and surrounding areas, he does a great job getting video of various important events captured as well. His out of the box thinking has opened up so many different possibilities for new media within the context of creating community, that one gets the feeling that anything is possible.
Having breakfast with him this morning, I wanted to run through a wall getting to all the ideas that come from our conversations. Funny thing is, I usually do all the talking. Carlos is humble to a fault, but his ideas and thoughtfulness speak very loudly. He calmly mentions things that end up being game-changers and perfect additions to existing ideas or strategies, or stand alone ideas that will change the way communities get their information. It’s like looking into the future talking to this cat, and the future is bright!
I don’t usually speak this way about people. I find people who gush the way I just did tend to be disingenuous and who speak out their tailpipe most of the time. Not so this time. I have seen these two people work, and they deserve every compliment. They deserve your follow on twitter, and they deserve your respect. They will always have mine.
Our thoughts are with the families and crew of firehouse #5, and hope that they understand many citizens are also thinking of them and their families while they recouperate. I am glad I was able to be a small part of the effort to recognize these brave men, and discover just how much direct engagement of your community can help.
We can talk about community, or we can get out in the streets and put ourselves on the line and engage people directly, not throwing money in a bucket, not making cool logos that have catchy slogans about helping others. But rather getting outside and meeting people on their turf, and finding out how we can help. We don’t need to go to an agency. Be your own volunteer agency! We all have great minds that can produce ideas that can make a positive change for someone. It’s a shame Nike has pattened the “Just Do It” slogan, because that’s how communities change. You just need to go do it. See someone who needs help? Just feed them. See graffiti? Go paint over it. Abandoned home in your hood? Mow the lawn and park your car in the driveway! Your community reflects your efforts. Don’t rely on anyone else but yourself and the great things you are capable of! Let’s do great!
Yours in committed service.
Dan Rogers
www.modesto6.com
twitter: modesto6
