Letter to the Editor: The Silver Lining of Tragedy

Dear Editor,

In times of tragedy, America comes together as a nation to support each other as we pick ourselves back up and rebuild what we have lost. We are a nation who understands that “United We Stand” is more than just a motto, and these words are never truer than in horrific times like last week's Navy Yard shooting. We come together to do what needs to be done during trying times, and solidarity is a virtue that always surfaces to show the silver lining in our nation’s darkest clouds.

With the suffering that follows any tragedy, I am always astonished by amazing organizations like the American Red Cross who work to support and raise funds for those in need in times of tragedy. Recently I was given the opportunity to be part of a newer organization that takes an interesting approach to bringing the nation together to support good causes; the Crowd it Forward non-profit foundation uses crowdfunding to bring in donations so that they can use full transparency and extremely low overhead to make sure that the money raised does not go to administrative expenses or promotional advertising.

I am in awe at how all of our differences in political views, race, religion, and background become inconsequential when the nation is called to join together and rebuild, and I am so proud have the opportunity to take part in the silver lining with www.CrowdItForward.com.

Sincerely,

Benjamin Burton

Student at the University of South Florida

Brandon, FL