My heart warmed and I got a little emotional this month when I read the global brief “Scouts Save Life Mid-Flight.” My son is a longtime scout, and I think the knowledge he has gained (CPR, first aid, cooking . . .) and the values instilled in him (honesty, integrity, hard work, helping others . . .) is invaluable.

It is a great organization among many organizations—Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and too many more to name individually—working with kids and teenagers throughout the country, staffed primarily by parents and community volunteers. I imagine there are times when some of the young par ticipants and the adult volunteers don’t see the good they are doing. It’s not like they get a lot of media coverage. For those who might question the value of investing their time with this organization, I hope stories like this one are inspiring.

Many of us feel unappreciated at times. The hard work we do to earn a merit badge, or a rank doesn’t seem to matter to the rest of the world, or the sacrifices we make to give our children opportunities seem to go unnoticed. But then a group of Scouts happen to be on a plane and help save a life. 

Know that all you do, however seemingly small, does matter. 

Enjoy this beautiful month of October,

Shannon