What makes a local leader?

I'm sure there are many varying opinions.  For me, I tend to look at qualities within individuals, which I admire like courage, selflessness and intellect.

I have been blessed to have met many individuals who demonstrate leadership qualities, but none more appealing to me than those who place others before themselves.  What would you call someone who demonstrates the courage to tackle the plight of hunger, homelessness and despair?  What would you call someone who demonstrates selflessness by providing food, clothing, shelter and compassion to those in need of help, without seeking public acknowledgement but an intrinsic reward?  What would you call someone who understands strength comes in numbers and looks for like mind people with synergistic skill sets to help address the need of food, clothing, shelter and compassion for ALL human beings?

There are leaders right here in our own community, across our great nation and through out the world.  Let me bring to light a local couple, Mark & Karen Curtis, both of whom exemplify these leadership traits.  This couple 25 years ago recognized some people within their community were going through out the day without a warm meal.  This amazing couple had the courage to take action and open their door to those in need by providing a warm meal during the Thanks Giving holiday, and continue to do so for the past “25” years.  This couple didn’t call attention to themselves looking for praise but sought humility and intrinsic reward.  The couples generosity has grown from 20 meals to an astounding 2,200 meals served during this Thanks Giving to families in need.  The logistics to plan and orchestrate meals for such an occasion speaks to the couple’s intellect.  The couple works with amazing individuals like Dianne Lynch, Cheryl Tully Stoll and others to fundraise, plan, organize and communicate a single vision … food for those in need.  

If you have never participated in the Curtis Family Thanks Giving Dinner you’re missing out on a great opportunity, for those that have participated you know what I mean.  Leadership comes in many shapes and sizes, often its people like Mark & Karen Curtis that makes the biggest impact in our own lives and the lives of the community around us.  Whether you’re a leader or someone who wants to contribute please consider volunteering, you CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!