We have all heard that actions speak louder than words. The real change happens when you have both. The words and actions of two women who are making a difference matter more than catchy slogans. Slogans are like neon signs. They grab our attention with a catchy glow and can distract us. But the signs themselves do nothing; they can be easily ignored or forgotten. Real impact comes from the actions of positive community involvement.
In the spirit of eschewing empty words and slogans, consider the following example of selfless and tangible action. I met Velma Bailey after she invited me to join her during a recent book club meeting at the St. Louis Public Library. Afterward, I had the pleasure of chatting with the infectiously positive Bailey. Eleven years ago, Bailey started an organization called St. Louis Torchbearers 2, after the tragic shooting death of a boy getting off his school bus in her north St. Louis neighborhood.
Bailey did not sit idly by after the tragedy. Rather, she stepped up to show the children in her neighborhood that there are people who care. Bailey and Torchbearers 2 started Camp Sun Splash, which takes place in Fairground Park. It began as a three-week summer day camp and is now up to nine weeks. Torchbearers 2 also provides homework assistance and a Super Saturday program. In the 10 years since Bailey started Camp Sun Splash, registrations are up to 90 children, with an average of 40 children participating each day.
