Work of the Few, Benefits Us All

UCS recently announced its 2010 Human Service Awards. You might wonder what do a Sheriff, newspaper opinion writer and nonprofit child advocacy agency all have in common. As I see it, they all seek to promote the common good – that which benefits everyone in our community, regardless of income, address, sex, age, race or other distinct attribute. These three award winners, in their respective roles, work to improve the community for everyone.

Sheriff Frank Denning seeks a community that is safe from crime. While not everyone is the victim of a crime, we all feel safer knowing that we can rely on a swift response. Bob Sigman seeks a community that has integrity and “does the right thing.” In his weekly column in the Johnson County Sun he writes about issues that directly may affect only a few, but as a community affect us all. Kansas Action for Children (KAC) seeks a community that puts children first. Through their advocacy work, KAC seeks policies that improve the lives of children and their families.

The work and accomplishments of Sheriff Denning, Bob Sigman and KAC are not based on self-interest or the interest of a few. Rather, they are committed to working to improve life for all of us. As an individual, I have not been the victim of a crime (or committed a crime) in Johnson County, I do not have children, and many of the issues addressed in Bob Sigman’s articles don’t directly touch my life. But, I personally enjoy a richer quality of life through their efforts to make this a better community. I thank them for their work – and hope that they serve as an example for others.

Sheriff Frank Denning, Shannon Cotsoradis (Kansas Action for Children) and Bob Sigman