Roll Up Your Sleeves and DIG

I'm always inspired by people who look at the world's problems and instead of whining about them, like I usually do, actually do something to address a need. It's even better when I actually end up knowing the person. While I was sinking my time into Facebook this week, I came across just that someone. His name is Steve Bolinger and I'd like to introduce you to him.

Steve was a year behind me in school and we've known each other since our elementary years. I lost track of him after graduation, as I have most everyone I went to school with. I remember him being a very pleasant guy, thoughtful, gregarious and genuinely nice. Apparently, he went to college and studied finance and also spent some time in the Peace Corps. That's all well and good, but why I really want you to know Steve can be summed up in a word: DIG.

DIG stands for Development In Gardening. Steve and his friend and fellow Peace Corps volunteer, Sarah Koch started DIG. It's mission is to raise the nutritional quality of life for HIV/AIDS patients and the impoverished in various Third World countries. Most of their work has been on the African continent, but recently they have branched into the Dominican Republic.

By the way, did you know that of the approximately 5,700 people that die from AIDS every day, 4,500 of them are in Africa? The epidemic there is staggering. Steve knows.

One of the things that struck me as I was learning about DIG is how matter of fact Steve is about why he and Sarah started the group. He says he simply saw all of these HIV/AIDS hospitals all around Africa and none of them were addressing this need.

Steve saw people in need and decided to do something to help. In the process, he's helping to build a world worth living in. A world where we all help out as we are able. Steve's participating in the divine.

So, now it's time to help DIG as we are able. Please go to http://www.developmentingardening.org/DIG/HOME.html and donate. Then, tell everyone you know about this group and tell them to do the same.