When I was a kid my Grandfather used to send money to Boys Town, a Catholic mission project in Nebraska which worked as a kind of orphanage for homeless boys. l do not know why or why he connected up with Boys Town. Off and on I too have sent money to this project, along with Covenant House, St. Jude’s, and No More Deaths on the border. I know that Boys town is still thriving, even as Father Flannagan its founder hoped it would.
In the 1940s Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald starred in a movie about Boys Town. It was one of those tear-jerkers like “White Christmas” and “The Bells of St.
Mary’s”. Nevertheless, it had a profound affect on millions of American movie-goers, many of whom are still supporting the project. I was especially drawn to the Boys Town sports program. I remember that their football team won the Nebraska State High School Championship more than once.
At that time neither I nor anyone I knew was a Catholic and I had no idea where Nebraska was. In my adult lifer I have always thought it important to give money to charitable causes, and for many years Boys Town was on the top of my list. Also, it seems to me better to give to some causes on a regular basis, rather than doing so on an occasional basis. Giving to local programs and causes also seems more responsible.
My wife Mari and I worked for a number of years for a program here in Tucson called BorderLinks which sought to educate North Americans about the complex and very difficult lives of Mexican people who live and work on the US/Mexico border. In a very real sense it was we Americans doing this work who got educated and helped, as well as the Mexican people. Putting one’s body, and money, where the need is still seems to be a good motto.
The poster sponsored by Boys Town has always been close to my heart. It shows a young boy carrying his little brother on his back. His words are: “He Ain’t Heavy, Father. He’s my Brother”. Strictly speaking it makes no sense, the logic doesn’t follow. Being someone’s brother should have no effect on whether or not he is heavy. But from the point of view of those working in the Boys Town project, it makes all the difference.
Likewise, for those of us who want to be of genuine help to less advantaged people, the logic may seem backwards but its not. As the saying goes: “Pay it forward.” I’m sure Bing Crosby could have made up a song with that line as well. It all depends on what one means by “Heavy.”