Love Has No Color is a labor of love. It’s a 365 days a year movement. There are so many things to be done from donor communications, planning trips to the Reservation, finding resources to calls with Kenny Smoker, HPDP, and Dr. Megan. There are no paid employees or consultations in LHNC. All the resources make their way to benefit the kids. I received a piece of Native American art from one of our biggest supporters saying how much she loves helping out.
I look at it every day. It reminds me how there is so much work to be done for these kids.
There is a natural tendency (perhaps rightfully so?) to focus on your own needs. You know…your job, business, your family, your religious organization, and your hobbies. These obviously have to be taken care of.
But is that all there is to life? Ticking off things on a list?
There is something that enters your life when you go above and beyond for kids who are not linked to you via DNA or location. You’re helping to give back to them something timeless…their humanity.
Abraham Lincoln was badgered up until his death with “why do you care so much about those people?” He didn’t see why people were separating others based on color. He saw that we’re all connected and children under God.
So don’t we.
I have witnessed all different types of people who have all kinds of stories that revolve around the sharing of humanity, of resources, and love with these kids.
Many of the doctors are bringing their families with them on their trips to the Reservation.
I have seen defining moments in people’s lives happen on the Reservation.
We’re seeing fathers and sons, mothers and daughters that make the trip it into a rite of passage, a ritual, and something to be looked forward to all year round.
We see marriages and friendships strengthened and renewed.
We see doctors bringing with them teens and adults at risk to serve the kids.
There is a dimension added to your life when you join our community. You’re always looking forward to it, you’re thinking of how you can improve upon last year’s effort.
Some of the best memories are all about when things don’t go on as planned and the group pulls together and finds a way to make it happen.
It somehow buoys you in adversity, the stresses and strains of everyday life are made somehow easier.
One of our kids outside of the Reservation doesn’t make a traveling sports team or into the National Honor Society. In the grand scheme of things this isn’t on the same plane as children who don’t have sufficient food or a proper bed to sleep on.
It gives donors and participants alike a sense of honor, of aiding these kids in their upward climb to reclaim their hope, health, and dignity.
Kenny Smoker has remarked on multiple occasions that LHNC is an answer to people’s prayers on the Fort Peck Reservation.
It’s also an opportunity for us to demonstrate what a like-minded group is capable of and inviting others to help in our efforts or in like fashion help others in need.
We are all one people.