Behind the Maltese Cross

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Garrie Madison Stoutimore grew up in western Massachusetts and graduated from UMass Dartmouth. Her debute book, Behind the Maltese Cross draws readers around the firehouse kitchen table where she relates their tales of comradery, danger, and the quiet moments that rarely make the headlines. A die hard New Englander, she is devoted to her family, friends, and the Atlantic Ocean. 
Garrie Madison Stoutimore grew in western Massachusetts and graduated from UMass Dartmouth. Her debute book, Behind the Maltese Cross draws readers around the firehouse kitchen table where she relates their tales of comradery, danger, and the quiet moments that rarely make the headlines. A die hard New Englander, she is devoted to her family, friends, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Making a Difference

Making a Difference

“I think I can make a difference.”

These words were spoken by Dave, a fire chief I met when doing research for my book Behind the Maltese Cross.  He explained that when he first interviewed for a firefighter position, he was asked why he wanted the job, and his reply was, “I think I can make a difference.”

To his surprise, his answer earned him the first step in a lifelong career serving a city he loved. He never lost sight of his goal and he did make a difference- to his community, to the firefighters under his command, and to his family.  

I too wanted to make a difference, which was why I firmly believe in volunteerism.  As a young woman in the 70s, I joined VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) and traveled across the country to work as an instructor for parents of children with special needs. Later, when my kids were young, I volunteered at my church and their schools.  And eleven years ago I became a CASA- Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children.  

I love my CASA work, but it’s not always easy.  Most of the situations surrounding abused and neglected children are heartbreaking.  Someone is always sad.  A parent may lose his child. A child may be taken from her parents.  There is sometimes violence.  There is often addiction..  There are always tears.  And some nights, especially when I am tired, they are mine.

But here’s the thing.  We don’t choose to be volunteers just to make us feel good. We choose to volunteer to make a difference.  To change the world.  To leave this life a little better than the way we found it.  

Do you want to make a difference?  Look for a way you can volunteer. There are opportunities everywhere.  Coach a kids’ team.  Greet patients at a hospital.  Drive patients to their appointments. Read at a nursing home.  Teach Sunday School.  Find a niche that puts your talent and your time to work.  You may wonder if your small contribution can really change the world, but remember that the ocean may be huge, but it is essentially made up of little droplets of water.  Your seemingly small contributions combined with other small contributions are exactly what will change the world.

You can read more about Chief Dave and many more men and women who chose firefighting as a way to make a difference in book Behind the Maltese Cross, available on Amazon https://a.co/d/0uqGoFM

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