Introduction

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. "
Margaret Mead

Today I worked with one of my high school students seeding and fertilizing the only cemetery in town, planting black forest trees for an older couple, and cleaning out a woman's attic so she could hold a garage sale. At $10 an hour we were earning money for our school's scholarship fund. We rent ourselves out to the community as a way to raise funds for our graduates' higher education.

I was happy to be working for a good cause. I felt more connected to the community. I know I'll run into these folks again in the coffee shop or library - what better way to bring us all closer. There was history to learn. For example, Estes Valley Memorial Gardens was created by a local effort to bury folks who felt at home in Estes Park rather than having to go to cemeteries on the front range.

In the end, the thing I found most remarkable in terms of civic action was that my company supported this as my day of work. Am I correct in thinking this is an untapped source of civic action? Could more businesses support civic action?