Community hero continues to help us serve

A hero in my book is a person who donates time, money, experience, skills and/or talent to help create a better world. The Rescue Mission Alliance Valley Food Bank has been blessed to have a hero, a champion, and a friend that has helped support, encourage, and promote our goal of ‘Fighting Hunger – Feeding Hope.’ Barry Woods and his family have been so generous to the Food Bank, enabling us to help more families.

Barry is a successful businessman, great husband, father, grandfather, and a world traveler, yet he finds time to participate in a host of community endeavors to help create a better world. Barry is certified to assist at the Red Cross, with the Fire Department, and has lent a hand to help launch an orphanage overseas.

I recall so vividly our first encounter back in 2007 when we were in North Hollywood. This non-assuming gentleman arrived, briefcase in hand, following up on recent television news coverage and a front page newspaper story recounting our desperate need for help. He toured the Food Bank and adjacent rescue mission facility. We sat down and talked of how our roles change as adults when our parents get on in their years.

Barry admitted he was unable to volunteer time but was glad to write a check. It was one of those checks every non-profit delights in receiving—one with a comma. Barry has continued his support, not for recognition, but to positively impact the community.

Ralph Waldo Emerson has been attributed with writing this poem on success:

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate the beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch Or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!”

Barry: You have succeeded! Thank you for all that you do to make the world a better place.

Will Hernandez
Director