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In a year when letters to the editor are often filled with vitriol and division, I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight the many people among us who give resources and time to good works.

For five days last week, I lived in the “ASM Shack” to represent the many, locally and worldwide, who “live on the margins.” The purpose was to raise money for AdventureServe Ministries, which guides participants in service projects, adventure experiences and retreats. The event aligned with the Good Giving Campaign, an exceptionally coordinated initiative of the Bluegrass Community Foundation.

We would not have succeeded without sponsorships from: The Agency Real Estate Advisors, reliable and caring Realtors in the Bluegrass; Wade’s Barber Shop, now in downtown Wilmore; Auto Alternative, mechanics you can trust; Cynthia Fore, CBD sales ambassador at Zilis, natural solutions to your health; First Southern National Bank, a community bank that gives to the community; and Stockton Mortgage, lenders who are informative, understanding and individually focused.

We also want to thank the leaders of partner agencies who gave interviews for our “Shack Conversations,” a 15-minute video series on Facebook. These folks represent some of the service agencies we partner with: Nicole Markle, family and youth resource coordinator of West Jessamine Middle School; Clint Baldwin, director of Word Made Flesh; Pastor Marland Fain of Cedar Top Baptist Church; Todd Johns and Randall McKinney of Revive Ministries; and Diane Stein, president of the board for Jessamine County Food Pantry.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who donated during the campaign and/or dropped off some food for me as I “lived with less so others might have more.”

You can learn more about the programs of AdventureServe Ministries or donate to our cause at adventureserve.org.

Andy Bathje, executive director

AdventureServe Ministries

Wilmore