"Barney has a fan club!" His eyes were wide and a grateful smile spread across his face as he opened the package. Cold soda, crackers, brownies, new pens and a card of appreciation filled the colorful box given to our high school police officer in charge of ticketing cars in the student parking lot. The givers of the gift were nine students on the yearbook staff. On the first day of school, I asked the students if they knew the officer's name. They looked at me like I was crazy. I quickly commented that I didn't think he had many people show him appreciation for the job he does. They were quiet for a minute. Finally, one student said, "Yeah, I wonder what his name is." The days following our conversation found the students trying to get the officer's attention as he walked by the classroom window on his way to the parking lot. One day, they found out his name was Mark, and that he was affectionately nicknamed Barney, after the deputy on the Andy Griffith Show. Since Barney never looked our way in the morning, the students decided they would have to approach him and decided to bring a gift. He was visibly moved by the tokens of appreciation. His was a job that not many wanted nor supported. Unfortunately, Barney's involvement in a student's life meant that certain students would be out some money. We now wave to Barney every morning as he makes his way to the parking lot. And, even though a couple of these students have received parking tickets since, they proudly tell other students that Barney is a friend of the yearbook staff. And Barney? Well, he looks our way each day, raises his coffee mug, and grins ear to ear.

This month, have your group members think of those people in their life that tend to be unappreciated and often ignored because of their job. Some of these people are police officers, credit collectors, parole officers, and school principals. Select a person with whom someone in the group has affinity. Perform a background investigation to uncover what some of their favorite things are (candy, food, music, etc.).Creatively package the items and attach a card that delivers a message of support. Arrange to have several group members deliver the package to the selected person while they are on the job. Make a commitment to pray for this person and the work that they do. When appropriate, invite them to your small group.

Small group leaders, encourage your group members to:

• Donate blood.
  
  
• Pick up litter in a cemetery.
  
  
• Give a family member, co-worker, neighbor, or friend a candle with a commitment to pray for them.
  
  

Originally published online at SmallGroups.com, October 1, 2005.

Read more from 'Ideas'

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