How to be a Bad-Ass Do-Gooder

By Kelsey May

So you wanna get on the bad-ass do-gooder bandwagon? Well, climb aboard, yo. There are opportunities aplenty to become a civic wonder of St. Augustine. And we’ve even found three people who might steer you toward your own humanitarian cause — or, at the very least, toward picking up that empty High Life bottle on the sidewalk.

The Oldest City’s Griot

Sometimes talent is the best thing to give back to your community. And that’s pretty sweet because you get paid. Christian Sun plays the African djembe drums and, through his music, wants to create outlets for people to get together to make music.

“It’s empowering for anyone to be in a group and share rhythm. It’s just a nice genuine sharing,”

Along with playing in a band called Balatami Sun, the 28-year-old has been teaching international beats at the ABLE charter school for about a year. He also recently opened a drum circle at the Art Advocate.

After graduating from Flagler in 1998, he studied drumming under a man named Bill Matthews in Seattle. During that time he learned songs that originated in The Congo, Haiti, Cuba, the Caribbean and Guinea West Africa. While studying he began an apprenticeship under Matthews and learned how to build djembe drums, which are made from goat skin. Before busting out beats in class, whether it be a little ditty from Guinea West Africa meant to heal the sick or a common Cuban dance rhythm, he explains the origin because, “When the song’s roots and traditions are taught, the rhythm is more potent,” he said.

From studying different cultures, he realized his role as a music teacher is similar to that of a village griot.

“They’re like the storytellers of their village. Different rhythms are like different poems.”

Think history teachers with fat beats. It’s the griot’s duty to keep heritage and culture alive through music.

“Rejoice and celebration empowers communities. We have all these…” he looks up and points to a flat screen television above our heads, shrugs his shoulders, “…distractions, you know. I personally believe as the (music) culture continues to strengthen, it’s going to strengthen the African American communities. As well as all the other communities, too.”

Fresh Help

National good works such as Greenpeace and Amnesty International had to start somewhere small. But how do you turn an idealistic notion into a successful reality?

“You have to commit yourself to it and really just find a bunch of people who have the same goal,” said Matt Bowers, an 18-year-old St. Augustine native majoring in theater at the Florida School of the Arts in Palatka. He’s been on mission trips and worked at a camp for children whose parents are in prison. Despite participating in all these activities and making the rest of us look like slackers, Bowers still wasn’t satisfied.

“I like giving back. I guess it’s just always been a part of my family not to forget about those who aren’t as fortunate,” he said.

He went to his minister, Fr. Brian Smith, one afternoon at Trinity Episcopal Church and said he thought the church needed to do more mission work. Bowers wanted to start a program where he could work with his hands and get students involved. Eager to help, Fr. Brian contacted the St. John’s County Housing Partnership. He learned elders’ houses need help with upkeep, and, through a grant, the SJCHP could provide materials to beautify homes.
They named the program Reparo, the Latin word for restoration.

On the first Saturday of every month, volunteers meet at Trinity at 8 a.m. for breakfast, which is on the house, before beginning work.

“Everyone starts off a little tired.” Bowers admits. “We hang out and eat for about an hour.”

Once they find out their assignment, though, the energy increases. After arriving at the house, they split up into teams, dividing the yard work, painting or handiwork.

By the end of the day, Bowers says, he has a dozen new friends, and they celebrate with another free meal, at someone’s house.

The main reason some people stay away from church volunteer programs is the pressure to be affiliated with a religion. Asked if people are expected to have faith, he laughs and shakes his head.

“No, no. It’s not like, ‘Hey paint this house, and, by the way, Jesus says …’ That’s taking advantage of the person. Christian or not, we all have something in ourselves that wants to help.”

In addition to Reparo, Bowers and a couple friends are attempting to start a “Cause Night” once a month at Trinity to create awareness of national and international injustice. Fall Out Boy spawned inspiration for this effort when Bowers saw the band’s video dedicated to the Invisible Children of Uganda. After watching the video, Bowers imagined himself as a young boy forced to shoot his own people.

“Without making it sound too cheesy, it scared me.”

So off he went to Fr. Brian again. They’re planning the first “Cause Night” at Trinity Episcopal this month, but the date hasn’t been set yet.

“If we can’t stop it, we can at least learn about how to heal the pain.”

For anyone considering attempting his or her own heartfelt campaign, Bowers says to research your idea and set attainable goals.

“Stay positive and remember that even the tiniest ideas produce successful efforts. Just keep remembering that you’re doing the right thing.”

For information about the Cause Night, or to pitch a cause you care about, call Bowers at 806-4347.

The Ultimate Activist

Peg McIntyre stomps the old person aphorism out like a cigarette butt. The 97-year-old has two hearing aids and two false hips, but still videotapes clients at the Council on Aging every week and holds an anti-war sign high during the peace gatherings at the bridge.

“I get mad more people aren’t with us,” she sighs. “I can understand opposition but not apathy.”

McIntyre grew up in a prosperous Jewish community in Long Island, from which her older brother Joseph rebelled. His campaigns for taboo presidential candidates and political passions planted an activist root in McIntyre’s heart that’s bloomed into a full grown Stick-it-to-the-man Tree.

For instance, in her F.B.I file, J. Edgar Hoover wrote a letter in 1941 “recommending she be considered for custodial detention in the case of a national emergency” in response to her involvement in the farmer’s union in New Orleans.
She helped her brother with his endeavors until he joined the Abe Lincoln Brigade and went over to fight fascism in the Spanish Civil War. While leading the Mackenzie-Pappineau Battalion, Joseph was killed. Ever since, she’s dedicated many decades to standing up for the little guy by speaking at peace rallies where the crowds have reached 20,000 people and spending time in jail for her die-in escapades at NASA during the nuclear arms race.

“I’ve been blessed with health and love and adventure throughout my life,” she said.

“As I get closer to not being alive, I feel more responsibility. I see poverty, racism, injustice and I want to do something about it. I go to where I’m most needed.”

McIntyre served as the treasurer for Florida Coalition for Peace for many years, founded Grandparents for Peace and the St. Francis House.

“We just called it ‘soup kitchen’ back then,” she said.

She also started the Earth Day awareness and celebration, which started off with about a dozen people, but now the Natural Living Alliance has taken it over.

“I’m very proud of what they’ve done with it. They’re doing a good job.”

McIntyre says she loves the spirit of volunteerism in St. Augustine and wants to encourage people to help the efforts that inspire them.

“You feel gratification, and sometimes it’s difficult, but you’ll keep doing it if you believe in it,” she said. “Because our society does not provide adequately, those who have should give.”

Getting Started

1. Think about something that angers, saddens or inspires you. If you need to have a good little cry afterward, go ahead; we won’t tell anyone.

2. Before you start blaming all the worlds’ injustices on Wal-Mart, find a computer or library and research your new-found cause to see what others are doing about it.

3. Call, e-mail or visit places around town that deal with your cause and ask if they need help. They’ll usually want you to fill out an application and sometimes they may need to do a background check if you will be working with children.

4. Stay committed. Getting started might take awhile, but don’t lose momentum; keep reading up on different ways to help the association of your choice. New ideas are always helpful, and you’ll look way smart.

5. The day you get the call to start, set up a schedule with them and ask questions.

6. Go out and celebrate with a bottle of cheap whiskey.

7. Just kidding. Go call the ‘rents; they’ll weep with pride.

Remember: When you volunteer, you’re surrounding yourself with good people. Everyone’s usually quite friendly and personable. If you’re nervous the first couple times, just give people the “I’m new” disclaimer, and the senior volunteers will be happy to tell you what to do.

Some opportunities around St. Augustine

If you like to read:
Friends of the Library: Take a look, it’s in a book … come on, you know the words. 829-1985

Those interested in international issues:
Bridges to Sudan: Help spread awareness of problems Sudanese refugees face and take part in fund-raisers. Sharon Svihel at 731-7143

If you want to help the homeless:
Food Not Bombs: Find non-perishable food items for the homeless with friends. Donate canned goods if you got ‘em. Monday, Thursday and Saturday in the Plaza around 6 p.m. Call Loose Screws for more information. 824-5565

PUSH-People United to Stop Homelessness: Get to the heart of the problem discussing issues with a group of people who recognize the city’s lack of resources in caring for the homeless. ciastaugustine@yahoo.com

St. Francis House: Restock shelves, cook and serve food, swap sweet stories with senior citizens. Ask for Marcia 829-8937

For the athlete:
First Tee: Teach kiddies golf. 940-4300

Good for you creative types:
St. Augustine Art Association: Assist with fundraising activities and other gallery events. 824-2310

Social butterflies:
Rotaract: Junior Rotary Club (post-college to 32-year-olds) Participate in monthly service projects. 302-2444

Fort Mose: Professional types, you can work with the committees in marketing, advertising, public relations and grant writing. If you’re a history buff or an actor, you could be a tour guide during special events. Refreshment servers are needed as well. 823-2232

If you like kids:
Boys and Girls Club: Help young ones stay positive and motivated. 396-4435
St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS): Help tutor and hang out with young teens. 829-1770
Big Brother/Big Sister: Be a friend and a good listener for a youngster. 829-9986

If you don’t like kids:
Council on Aging: Help out the old folks. 209-3685
EPIC: Counsel victims of substance abuse. 829-3295

Good for Mr./Ms. Fix-It:
Habitat for Humanity: Help build a home for those who can’t afford one. 826-3252
Reparo: On the first Saturday of every month, scarf a couple free meals and help beautify homes of the less fortunate. 687-4264