Betting on a Cause
Politicians are always looking for an angle and when a charity stands to benefit I say bring it on! If the hometown team’s in the finals, you can bet (and these are betting words) that someone’s going to get in on the action. Last month, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick placed a bet with The Governator, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, that paid off nicely for The Women’s Lunch Place as a result of the Celtics’ NBA Championship.
On Friday, Governor Patrick visited the Boston shelter to personally oversee delivery of the winnings: California-grown fruits and other foods, which the shelter quickly put to good use. The Governor hugged and spoke with each Women’s Lunch Place guest who approached him. I noticed he knew some by name. He explained to the crowd of about 200 guests, staff and media that he “didn’t come with all the answers.” But, he said, gesturing to his eyes, “I want you to know that I see you.” That was a powerful statement - more so than comes across here. He very simply recognized the poor and homeless women at the shelter, who must feel, many times during their days on the street, invisible to passers-by.
Women’s Lunch Place Executive Director called the Governor’s wager a “slam dunk” for The Women’s Lunch Place and other organizations serving the homeless, in Boston and beyond. Forget about Vegas, the best bets are placed and won locally.
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