Re: From Greg Clark: Urban hiking
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Dear Greg, I would be interested in giving a contribution. ?Please let me know where I should send it. In Gasho,
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Mark,? ? Thank-you; let me send you info later this morning. ? Warmly, ? David H. Marvin 970-759-5922 ? ? Greetings. My wife and I would be interested in contributing to this family. Can you please email or call me directly to coordinate? ?markwilliamtasker@...?or 720.635.3621. Thanks. Greg, ? Thanks for your story.? I have been thinking a lot since last week about what little things I can do to make a difference right now.? Your story is inspiring for choosing something that can have an immediate impact.? And thank-you Karin for the reminder to pick some organizations to support each month; I reached out to two international non-profits that I have supported for years doing work I Myanmmar and Nepal-the Shanta Foundation and the dZi foundation. ? I wanted to offer a concrete opportunity too for anyone that is struggling with what to do and how to impact someones life personally right now.? A friend has been helping a Navajo family in Arizona; the reservation has been really hit hard and people are struggling.? He let people know that if you are interested in helping, money is always appreciated of course but even more important is sending food as stores are experiencing shortages.? If this sounds appealing to you let me know and I can share the information that my friend shared with me.? I sent off two boxes of canned goods yesterday which just felt like a practical and impactful thing to be able to do.? They will share with others if they receive too much; there has been a good response to Eric¡¯s initial request for help.? They have several diabled family members that they are trying to support to in other parts of the res.? They tend to have to drive long distances which is tough because there is a curfew and there are fuel shortages apparently too. ? Anyway, let me know if this piques your interest. ? Thanks again Karin and Greg. ? Warmly, ? David H. Marvin 970-759-5922 ? ? ? On Thu, Apr 30, 2020 at 10:00 AM Zen Center of Denver Office < office@...> wrote: Forwarded via the office: The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing orders couldn¡¯t have come at a worse time for me. I just went through a stem cell transplant for an aggressive form of lymphoma and I was very ready to start my recovery ¨C physically and emotionally. I¡¯m an avid outdoorsperson and spend as much time skiing and hiking as possible. I was just getting ready to get started again when the state was basically shut down. I had a little ¡®woe is me¡¯ attitude going. To compensate, I (like many others) logged miles on local county hiking trails. One Sunday, a couple weeks ago, my wife suggested I do an urban hike.? I thought it was a terrific idea, which I set out to do, but with a simple twist. I¡¯ve been involved in various homeless activities around Denver including ¡®Everyone Counts¡¯, protest marches, ZPI Street Retreat, and organized the Zen Center of Denver¡¯s coat drive for the homeless. I decided to go to a local store, purchase socks and underwear for both men and women, and pass these out to people I met along the way.? I grabbed my dog (see first photo), loaded my backpack with the clothing items and set out from Union Station and walked up 16th Street Mall (see map) and handed out a several dozen pair of socks and underwear. Along the way, I encountered a group (see second photo) providing meals. They offered me some which I declined, leaving for others who need it.?
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<image002.png> Along the way, I got many nice thank you's and comments that I was doing good things. That was reaffirming, but not really the point. During my stem cell transplant and the subsequent shelter in place situation, I realized just how lucky I am. I could not imagine fighting lymphoma living in a shelter or on the street. I was in strict isolation when not in the clinic, not even allowed to go to the store, recreation or work (not that I felt much like doing those things). Had I not had the extreme fortune of a home, insurance, a loving spouse and family, and a supportive Zen Center, I might not have survived this. This I know. I also know that the poor folks who have no home are experiencing COVID-19 in a way far worse than my circumstances of being shut in my home. They have no home to be shut into. If I could provide the tiniest modicum of comfort, I¡¯m glad for that.
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Warmly,
David H. Marvin?
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