Be an Upstander…not a bystander
When a rock was hurled through the window of a family home simply because it displayed a picture of a menorah (a candlelabra that is lit on the Jewish holiday of Hannukah), the residents of Billings, Montana, banded together. The local newspaper printed a picture of a Menorah, which 10,000 residents clipped from the paper and hung in their home windows to show solidarity with the impacted family.
These historic moments set forth a game plan for how not to be mere bystanders, but rather, to be upstanders and to do so in a way that:
- opens new and larger doors when other doors are closed;
- benefits the many, rather than just the few;
- creatively empowers individuals to act together locally; and,
- serves to unite people, rather than divide them.
Utilizing these concepts, a group of Montgomery County residents has come together as participants in the Greater Dayton Upstander Project.
Read more from Bonnie Beaman Rice from the Greater Dayton Upstander Project.
Enhance your knowledge of art and history by volunteering with the Dayton Art Institute
Volunteering at the DAI is about more than just donating your time; it allows individuals to become part of a community that values creativity, education and connection. Volunteers play an integral role in enhancing visitors' museum experience. They assist with special events, support educational programming and help maintain day-to-day operations such as greeting guests as they enter the museum. As a volunteer, you’ll not only contribute to the museum’s mission but gain personal fulfillment, new skills and opportunities to meet like-minded individuals.
Read more from Andrea Deskins from the Dayton Art Institute.
Starting off the year by serving your community’s green spaces
Strong volunteer support makes parks like ours possible — volunteers truly make a difference. Whether at Five Rivers MetroParks or another local nonprofit, I encourage you to make a commitment to service as one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2025. Organizations like MetroParks depend on volunteer support to survive and thrive.
MetroParks offers volunteer opportunities for everyone in the community to give back and be part of our mission by working alongside our dedicated staff to protect our region’s natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.