It's been said Wyoming is just one big neighborhood connected by very long roads. After many years of living in a huge, impersonal city of more than two million people, this wonderful sense of community is one of the many reasons I am thrilled to be back.
You see, Wyoming is my home state. It's where I was born and raised and learned my basic "operating principles." And it's where I know folks to be some of the kindest and most generous people of any state in the nation.
Cheyenne's annual Day of Giving proves my point. For the seventh year in a row, the call went out to local businesses, individuals, community groups, civic volunteers and religious congregations to help support people in need. From all corners of the county, people came to the Kiwanis Community House at Lion's Park to show they care. The results speak for themselves. Here is what they contributed:
9,810 pounds of non-perishable food and personal care items
795 pounds of medical supplies
416 pounds of leftover prescription medications
201 pieces of durable medical equipment
865 pairs of used eyeglasses
$5,169.66 in cash donations
85 people showed up to donate blood and 31 bone marrow donors were registered
In addition, businesses and community groups donated $8,350.
An outpouring of generostiy? . . . a heartwarming show of support? . . . an over-the-top response to help those in need? Yes, all of these things. And above all, it's affirmation that people who call Wyoming home have hearts as big as the wide open spaces we live in.
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