WQMX Tree Of Lights 2010

The time is here again for the annual WQMX Tree Of Lights.

I have written about it before. Our yearly fundraiser for the Haven Of Rest in downtown Akron. They help people of course, get back on their feet and off the street. For three days we ask that the community really come together and support this wonderful asset with financial donations. You always show up. And right up front, we thank you.

Thursday morning my partner Sue Wilson and I will start the radiothon on our show at 6am on WQMX. At 10am we will go down stairs and take our place at the table at our studios at 1795 West Market Street underneath the tree and ask that you come by and donate. Sue and I will be there for much of the next three days, and the balance of the WQMX staff will anchor the cause as well. It's a great time to get to know us, and us you. Lots of hugs and handshaking this week.

Sue and I have been talking with many of the people who have been through the Haven Of Rest recently, and they have shared their moving stories. One thing that has really made an impression on me is this. The reasons so many people can find themselves so alone, and so close to the edge are so many and different than you might think. As our world has changed, so have our problems. After listening to many of them, you can't help but think that this could be you, or someone you know or love someday. I know it's hard to even think about. But where would you go, what would you do if your troubles were big and many, and your options few or none? What if the pressures of the world were about to swallow you whole? To think that the Haven Of Rest is just a place for a bunch of homeless guys to crash out of the night's cold is antiquated.

Men, women and children of all kinds have found solace, comfort and new hope at the Haven Of Rest. One of the many things we learned is that lots of them never imagined finding themselves there. But when there was no place left to turn, and a door needed to be warmly opened, The Haven was there. We live in a fast paced, hard to keep up world these days, and for many it can be a real challenge. None of us make it through this world unscathed. But for some, the scathing can be a little deeper. The path can get long, narrow, dark, and possibly life threatening. Thank goodness for the Haven Of Rest.

The Haven picks people up, collects the pieces worth saving, and adds some that are new. And with love carefully glues those back together who wish to be so, and prepares them for life anew. Many leave with a lighter heart, wider shoulders and a second chance they thought was offered, given and spent many years earlier. They leave wearing the cloak of security that The Haven will be there for them again on those days that the darkness tries to creep back in and eclipse the new found light. In many cases The Haven saves lives, and has been doing so for many years. No one in our country really does it better than they do. These are people worth supporting.

The WQMX Tree Of Lights is proud to be supporting The Haven Of Rest, and we hope you support them this week with us too. There's always a nice feeling around the station Tree Of Lights week. I am very passionate about what I do for a living every day, but this week is one of my favorite times to work here. Feels good to do good. It always feels good to know when you are on the side of the angels. And this is that time.

From the bottom of all of our hearts, thank you in advance for your support of the WQMX Tree Of Lights.