The picture that the volunteer firefighters in Reserve Mines, N.S., entered in the Fire Hall Photo Contest was stunning.
It showed the crew, a couple of fire engines and even a hovering rescue helicopter all shrouded in dramatic lighting. Everyone who saw the picture said they were sure to win the $5,000 first prize and they were right. Within days, they had received so many votes that they were winning by a landslide. Then, the firefighters of Reserve Mines saw another picture.
Smith’s Cove fire department near Digby, N.S., had entered the contest as well. Their picture was not nearly as impressive as the one Reserve Mines had submitted. There was no dramatic lighting and certainly no hovering helicopter. It was just a picture of a group of dedicated volunteers standing in front of their fire hall. Smith’s Cove received enough votes to get into second place, but they had no chance of winning.
That is until Reserve Mines dropped out of the competition.
Not only did Reserve Mines drop out, but they encouraged everyone who had voted for them to recast their vote for the group in Smith’s Cove. Eventually, the small department won the contest and used the prize money to buy some much needed equipment.
“It was actually a pretty good feeling, because we were helping a department that needed the money a lot more than we do,” said Reserve Mines Chief Jeff Aucoin.
In a time when many think only about themselves, an act of selflessness stands out. In fact, this one made the national news.
The truth is that when we help others, we end up helping ourselves. There is a reason why people say, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Why not give it a try?
Your act of kindness may not make the nightly news, but it can make your corner of the world just a little bit better.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
