If you have ever been to a beach, you have undoubtedly seen a jet ski out in the water. If you were on your surfboard or body board, you would be lucky if the small wave created would take you more than several feet. However, if you watch for a larger boat to pass by, that wave may take you much closer to the shore.

The same can be said locally for those working to make a difference in our communities across Lawrence County.

There are many who work very hard individually to improve various things throughout the county, and then there are a myriad of civic organizations that work on projects to make a difference on several items. Those could represent the jet ski and boat respectively.

In Lawrence County, we are certainly blessed with several dozen civic organizations that all have a common goal of making our communities a better place.

While the list of those groups is too substantial to name, some of those include: the Ironton Lions Club, the Ironton Rotary Club, Ironton aLive, Friends of Ironton, People for the Point, Ironton in Bloom, the Lawrence County Young Professionals, Leadership Tri-State, Coal Grove Betterment Club, Coal Grove Lions Club, the Proctorville Chesapeake Rome Lions Club along with others.

However, we don’t see that huge cruise liner come along too often and create the perfect wave that easily takes you all the way to the shore. That could be those civic organizations coming together to tackle one huge project per year.

It is no secret that all of the civic organizations do a great job of working to improve our communities, but just imagine the overwhelming impact all of those organizations uniting as one could have on our county and region as a whole.

Ultimately, what could this group of volunteers do and what should they focus on? We have several opportunities throughout our county, but it is something residents of the county should have input on as well.

It could be something like making improvements to a community park or playground or much larger projects like the Chesapeake Community Center, restoration of the jail in Burlington or Ro-Na theater.

But, before we can begin planning, development of needs and ideas is vital.

Simply put, while individuals and organizations make a great difference for a variety of items, coming together could make a difference of an entirely different level that can be felt for a long time.

 

Josh Morrison is the general manager at The Tribune. To reach him, call 740-532-1441 ext. 16 or by email at josh.morrison@irontontribune.com.