There is an ad on Air America about "don't almost help" [View All]

having to do with volunteerism. Makes the point that good intentions don't help; "almost" working at a soup kitchen is the same as not working at a soup kitchen.

I have driven past the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Vets in Wheaton, Il. many times, and have "almost" stopped to see what I might be able to do to help out. I was pleased to see it when it appeared a while back, even called my wife to tell her - I felt it was a very good thing that a relatively affluent town like Wheaton had evidently welcomed, or at least tolerated, such a place right there in the heart of town, a couple of blocks from the fancy new commuter rail station. One time i was picking up takeout pizza at the Gino's right behind it, and thought about just telling them to send a couple of pizzas over. I've thought that maybe I might even hire some guys to help me with yard work or something, give them a little pocket money. I've "almost" done that many times. And I think about it every time I hear that ad.

I learned today in reading the tributes to our good friend Monkeyman that he was instrumental in establishing that shelter. Now I know that had I done more than think about it, not only would I have done some slight bit of good, I just might have crossed paths with Dale Peters, and it is just remotely possible that we might have learned who each other were.

Tomorrow I vist the shelter.